Mukurweini Member of Parliament John Kaguchia has been arrested by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), hours after claiming he was being pursued by plain-clothed security officers.
The legislator was arrested at the Royal Media Services (RMS) headquarters on Monday morning, August 3, after spending the night inside the media house, saying he feared for his safety.
Kaguchia had earlier taken to social media, alleging that several unmarked Subaru vehicles had surrounded the Royal Media premises shortly after he appeared on Inooro TV's Kiririmbi programme on Sunday evening.
Claiming he had received information about an impending arrest, the MP chose to remain inside the media house overnight as detectives maintained a presence outside the premises.
"After my Kiririmbi Show this evening, a contingent of Police have surrounded Royal Media Studios and erected road blocks with intentions of arresting me! I will NOT BE INTIMIDATED whatsoever," Kaguchia posted on social media.
Witnesses reported that officers remained stationed outside the Dennis Pritt Road headquarters throughout the night. Unconfirmed reports also indicated that roadblocks had been mounted along the busy road, with motorists stopped and searched in what was believed to be an attempt to prevent the lawmaker from leaving unnoticed.
On Monday morning, Kaguchia revealed that detectives were investigating remarks he allegedly made during a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County.
The MP also accused several state operatives, including government digital strategist Dennis Itumbi, of spreading what he described as a false narrative that culminated in his arrest.
Kaguchia, an ally of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, has been under scrutiny over remarks made during a rally on Saturday, August 1, in which he appeared to suggest that residents of the Mt Kenya region would face consequences if they voted for President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
Following his arrest, the MP is expected to be taken to the DCI's regional headquarters on Valley Road in Nairobi for further questioning.
His arrest comes amid an intensified crackdown on politicians accused of making inflammatory statements, with the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) pursuing investigations into several high-profile leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.