High Court order release of Mukurweini MP Kaguchia on Sh100,000 bail after arrest

A Kiambu High Court has ordered the release of Mukurwe-ini legislator John Philip Gichohi Kaguchia from police custody upon the payment of a Sh100,000 cash bail, hours after he was arrested over remarks allegedly made during a political rally in Nyeri County.

In orders issued this evening, Kiambu High Court Judge Lady Justice Njoki Mwangi certified the legislator’s application as urgent and directed that he be released immediately upon depositing the cash bail pending the hearing and determination of his application.

The judge also directed Member of Parliament (MP) Kaguchia to serve the application on the respondents, including the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions, who were granted 14 days to file their responses. The MP will have a further 14 days to file a supplementary affidavit if necessary.

The court scheduled the substantive application for virtual hearing on September 16, 2026.

Kaguchia was arrested by Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers today morning after spending the night at the Royal Media Services headquarters in Nairobi, where he had sought refuge following a television interview.

The MP claimed detectives were planning to arrest him over remarks he made at a political rally in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Saturday.

Speaking before his arrest, Kaguchia said police had surrounded the media house and erected roadblocks in what he described as an attempt to intimidate him.

He maintained that his remarks had been taken out of context and insisted he had not received any formal summons from investigators.

The MP said he was willing to present himself before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC), arguing that any complaints arising from his political statements fell within the commission’s mandate.

The DCI officers are investigating remarks in which Kaguchia allegedly warned Mt Kenya residents against voting for President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election, reportedly stating in Kikuyu that those who supported the President would be tracked to their homes.

Regional DCI Commander Daniel Kandie was among the officers who effected the arrest.

Following his arrest, Kaguchia was initially taken to the DCI headquarters before being transferred to Kamukunji Police Station.

His lawyers complained they had not been informed of the reasons for his arrest, alleging detectives confiscated his mobile phone and initially denied them access to their client.

By this evening, police had not publicly disclosed the charges the legislator is expected to face.

The arrest sparked demonstrations in parts of Mukurwe-ini constituency, where supporters demanded his immediate release, while several opposition leaders condemned the move, accusing the government of selectively targeting opposition-allied politicians.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua claimed the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) at Kamukunji Police Station had been served with the High Court order but continued to detain the MP.

“My advice to the OCS is to obey the court order, as he will be held personally liable for contempt of court. When that time comes, his seniors will be nowhere to be found when he is cited for contempt,” Gachagua said.

He further cautioned police officers against obeying what he termed unlawful instructions, citing the prosecution of a former Central Police Station OCS in connection with the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody.