In a dramatic turn of events, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara was arrested at her Maraigushu home on July 17, 2025, by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for failing to honour a summons related to allegations of incitement and undermining a public officer, as reported by The Standard.
The arrest, livestreamed by Kihara on Facebook, has ignited widespread reactions on social media, with many supporters suggesting political motivations tied to her vocal support for former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, fueling debates about the use of state power to silence dissent.
The arrest of Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara has thrust Kenya’s political landscape into the spotlight, with accusations of political persecution dominating discussions.
The DCI summoned Kihara on July 14, 2025, to answer allegations of disseminating “inciteful or disruptive content” that undermined a public officer’s authority, an offence under Section 132 of the Penal Code.
Kihara, a staunch ally of Rigathi Gachagua, linked the summons to her speech at the July 11 burial of Boniface Kariuki in Murang’a County, where she criticised police brutality during recent protests.
Her refusal to comply, citing a 2016 High Court ruling that declared Section 132 unconstitutional, led to her dramatic arrest, which she livestreamed to hundreds of viewers.
Kihara’s arrest unfolded at her Maraigushu residence, where over 20 DCI officers, backed by anti-riot police, apprehended her during a meeting.
The lawmaker, who was taken to Naivasha Police Station before being transferred to DCI headquarters in Nairobi, claimed she was unaware of specific charges, calling the move “politically motivated.”
Kihara’s defiance, coupled with her legal team’s argument that the summons relied on an invalid law, has intensified scrutiny of the DCI’s actions.
The backdrop to Kihara’s arrest is a wave of anti-government protests, including the June 25, 2025, demonstrations that saw violence in Naivasha and the torching of Kikuyu Law Courts.
The DCI has accused Kihara of inciting unrest, though she denied any involvement in organising or funding violence, stating, “I have not participated in, financed, or organised any acts of violence.”
Her remarks echo sentiments from Gachagua, who has claimed President William Ruto is using state agencies to target his allies. Posts on X, such as @smutoro’s, raised questions about legal overreach, citing the 2016 Robert Alai v Attorney General ruling that annulled Section 132.
Kihara’s vocal criticism of Ruto’s administration, including her May 2025 claim that her security was withdrawn due to her Gachagua ties, has made her a lightning rod for controversy.
She previously accused Ruto of breaking campaign promises not to weaponise state security, warning that any harm to her should be blamed on the President.
Her arrest follows the detention of other Gachagua allies, like Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, charged with terrorism-related offences during the Saba Saba protests.
The pattern has fueled speculation on social media that the government is cracking down on dissent amid public unrest over policies and police actions.
The Boniface Kariuki burial, where Kihara spoke, was a flashpoint for public anger following his death from a police shooting on June 17, 2025, during Nairobi protests.
Kariuki’s killing, alongside the controversial death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody, has amplified calls for accountability, with Kihara’s remarks at the event deemed inciteful by the DCI.
Her legal team, led by Ndegwa & Ndegwa Advocates, argued that the summons’s short notice and reliance on an unconstitutional law rendered it invalid, a stance Kihara reiterated during her livestreamed arrest: “My lawyers wrote to the DCI, but they decided to arrest me.”
The Jayne Kihara arrest has sparked broader conversations about political motivations in Kenya, with citizens criticising her for seeking a “shit show” by defying the summons.
Others framed it as justice catching up, quoting, “The wheel of justice may turn slowly, but it grinds exceedingly fine.” The incident has also drawn attention to Kenya’s political climate, with opposition figures like Musalia Mudavadi urging restraint and Maraga calling for Ruto’s removal over constitutional violations. For those following Kenyan political arrests, Kihara’s case highlights tensions between free speech and state authority.
As Kihara faces questioning at DCI headquarters, her supporters, including Nyandarua Senator John Methu, have decried the arrest as a “dark moment” for Kenya, accusing Ruto of betraying allies who supported his 2022 campaign.
Kihara’s resolve to continue criticising the government, as expressed in her statement, “These political persecutions will not stop us,” resonates with those tracking Naivasha MP news.
