Police detain Laikipia North MP Lempurkel
Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel at Narumoru police station Nyeri on July 22, 2017. PHOTO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Mr Youakim Kuraru said the MP was arrested by officers from Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
- Laikipia Central OCPD Ben Chalungo said the MP has been on the run since July 20 when he made the remarks.
Laikipia North MP Mathew Lempurkel has been arrested for making incitement to violence remarks during an ODM rally in Mararal, Samburu County.
Mr Lempurkel was arrested on Saturday afternoon at Nanyuki police station where he had gone to report that he was receiving threatening messages on his phone.
DETAINED
He was immediately transferred to Narumoru police station in Nyeri under unclear circumstances.
A section of his supporters followed him and camped outside the police station demanding his release.
DETECTIVES
Mr Youakim Kuraru, ODM's Segera Ward MCA candidate, said the MP was arrested by officers from Directorate of Criminal Investigations.
"He had just recorded statement at Nanyuki police station and was preparing to leave...," Mr Kuraru said.
ON THE RUN
Laikipia Central OCPD Ben Chalungo said the MP has been on the run since July 20 when he made the "ethnic contempt remarks".
"We have been tracing him since he made the incitement remarks but [he] has been on the run. The arrest and transfer should not be a cause of alarm," Mr Chalungo said.
PROPAGANDA
The OCPD said will be detained until Monday when he will be charged in court.
"He will be charged with incitement to violence."
His supporters camped outside the station demanding to get details of the arrest.
On his part, Mr Lempurkel termed the arrest as "fixation based on propaganda".
RANCHERS
He said he will look for a lawyer to represent him.
Laikipia Police Commander Simon Kipkeu confirmed the arrest, saying it was in connection with inciting speech he made during the rally.
Mr Kipkeu said police have been looking for Mr Lempurkel following a video that allegedly depicts him telling the residents that white ranchers would be evicted if the Opposition takes over the government in the August 8 polls.
"It is true the MP has been arrested after he incited his followers on land matters," Mr Kipkeu said.
TRISTAN VOORSPUY
On Friday night, the MP attended a Maa ceremony in a Nanyuki hotel where he called for a peaceful co-existence among the various communities living in Laikipia North.
This is not the first time the legislator is being confronted by such an accusation.
On March 7 this year, he was arrested following the murder of a British citizen, Mr Tristan Voorspuy.
CASH BAIL
But Nanyuki Principal Magistrate Waititu Gichimu released him on Sh200,000 cash bail to give police time to investigate the murder case.
Mr Voorspuy was found dead at Sosian ranch, which he co-owned; his body had gunshot wounds.
He was however released without being charged because the prosecution said there was no enough evidence.
