Willis Otieno slams govt over rearrest of DCP Youth Leader Peter Kinyanjui
Kenyan lawyer and political commentator Willis Otieno has criticised the government following the dramatic rearrest of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) youth leader Peter Kinyanjui, alias Kawanjiru, just moments after he was released on bond.
In a statement shared via his X account on Saturday, July 5, 2025, Otieno condemned the move, calling it a form of intimidation against dissenting voices.
“It’s a psychological war on dissent; a desperate regime flexing muscle because it lacks legitimacy. Gunshots in the air don’t prove strength. They prove panic. Nothing screams ‘illegitimate government’ louder than a courtroom ambush,” Otieno said.
He went on to question the motive behind such dramatic scenes.
“All this drama for what? All these masked men, gunshots in the air, drawn-out re-arrests outside courtrooms for what exactly? Since when did bond release become a trigger for counterterror operations? What crime justifies this theatre? If he’s a real threat, charge him properly. If not, stop wasting bullets and time trying to manufacture fear,” he added.
Dramatic scenes
Kawanjiru was re-arrested outside Ruiru Law Courts in Kiambu County by anti-terror police shortly after being released on bond. The youth leader, a known ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, had been arrested earlier for reportedly taking part in the torching of Kiambu Law Courts during the Gen-Z-led anti-government protests held on June 25, 2025.
Eyewitnesses say chaos broke out as police officers whisked him away in a waiting vehicle. His family, including his mother and wife, tried to stop the arrest but were overwhelmed by the heavily armed officers who fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd.
Beatrice Wanjiru, Kawanjiru’s mother, wailed as she pleaded with the police to let her son go, but her cries went unanswered.
“Watu wa Limuru na watu wa huku wote walikuwa wamekataa waingie, na walikuja na risasi, na to make the matter worse, wakifyatua risasi wanaokota kila kitu, alibebwa na serikali juu wote walikuwa hapo, wenye wako na uniform na wenye hawana, mpaka walikuwa wamevaa hadi mask,” she said.
She further claimed that officers had earlier stormed their home, fired several rounds to scare off neighbours, and forcefully taken her son.
Kawanjiru’s wife, Catherine Wambui, expressed her deep concern for her husband’s safety.
“Walisema hayuko Limuru, ati yuko Kiambu, sasa ndiyo tunangoja tuende Kiambu tujue kama yuko huko. Hofu yangu ni… hofu yangu ni wasimfanye vibaya,” she said.
Kawanjiru is among two DCP youth leaders arrested over the June 25th demonstrations. Another leader, Wanjiku Thiga, was also taken into custody at Kamakis in Ruiru.
