Wiper Democratic Movement party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned the arrest of former Kiambu county governor Ferdinand Waititu.
Speaking outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) headquarters along Kiambu Road on Monday, September 30, 2024, Kalonzo termed Waititu’s arrest as an abduction.
According to Kalonzo, the arrest was illegal since the police did not follow the due process while seeking to arrest Waititu.
The Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition co-principal further argues that the police should have gone to a court of law to obtain an order or a warrant of arrest before making the move.
Kalonzo went ahead to express concerns that Waititu’s arrest came just a day after they had called for an end to abductions at a rally in Kitengela, Kajiado county, that was attended by Waititu.
“We have come today to try and understand why the police have abducted Baba Yao. Only yesterday, we went vocal in Kitengela that these police abductions have to stop,” Kalonzo argued.
“Any unexplained arrest like that one of grabbing Waititu and shepherding him to DCI headquarters is nothing short of an abduction because we don’t think it followed due process. They could have gone to court, obtain order and look for him. We have come to say No, these abductions must stop,” he added.
Kalonzo on why Waititu was arrested
He went ahead to argue that he had been informed that Waititu is accused of uttering some words that did not please some people during an event they had attended in Ruiru on Sunday, September 29, 2024, after their Kitengela rally.
“Yesterday after Kitengela we drove to Ruiru because there was an artiste there who was launching a wonderful composition and we were told that Mheshimiwa Waititu said things there which did not please some people. We want to tell those people wherever they are, shame on you,” Kalonzo said.
Kalonzo was flanked by Jubilee party Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Makueni county senator Dan Maanzo.
However, they were denied access to the DCI headquarters.
Former Kiambu County Governor Ferdinand Waititu was this morning abducted from a fuel station by persons suspected to be state security agents. Together with lawyers Hon @EugeneLWamalwa, Hon @HonKioni and Senator Dan Maanzo, we went to the DCI headquarters to try and understand… pic.twitter.com/bvkfOLbHRF
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) September 30, 2024
Waititu’s arrest
Waititu was on Monday, September 30, 2024, arrested and driven to Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters over claims he made inciting remarks.
His lawyer Ndegwa Njiru in a statement shared via his official X account said the arrest was linked to utterances he made in Ruiru.
He was driven and detained at the DCI’s Serious Crime Unit.
Police said they took the action to forestall further remarks that may incite the public.
Waititu has of late joined political leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka in campaigning against perceived bad governance.
