Mombasa Governor Hassan Joho was briefly detained at Nyali police station on Monday after storming in to demand the release of seven city askaris.
The seven were arrested earlier today and Joho said the circumstances were unclear.
He accused police in the county of illegally protecting grabbers of public property, saying the inspectorate officers had gone to inspect “illegal construction” on public property.
The Governor, who has promised to defend the rights of his people, said it was unfortunate that the regional commander ordered the arrest of the askaris.
“The said piece of land was approved by National Land Commission as an access route to the beach. Why is it that police are indulging in land disputes? This leaves us with more questions than answers,” he said.
But officers at the station said Joho was arrested for ordering an invasion on the property.
The county chief said he will move to court to seek a determination on the line of enforcement between the national and county governments.
In January, Joho was detained at Mombasa CID headquarters after visiting a relative who had been arrested by police.
County director of communications Richard Chacha said the relative Joho visited was arrested when officers raided and ransacked his home, amid a security withdrawal saga.
“The officers told him he also had to stay at the police station,” Chacha said, adding there was no further communication.
Sources said the Governor went to find out why his relative, only identified as Haroub, was arrested but refused to leave.
He was allegedly detained for causing a disturbance.
