Nyeri deputy Speaker arrested, faces assault charges
Nyeri County Assembly Deputy Speaker Samuel Kariuki appears in court on December 16, 2019 where he was charged with assault and malicious damage to property. He was freed on Sh50,000 cash bail. PHOTO | JOSEPH WANGUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- Police have been under pressure to arrest the lawmaker.
- He is said to have committed the offence on December 8, 2019 outside Giakanja Secondary School.
Nyeri County Assembly Deputy Speaker Samuel Kariuki has been charged with assault and malicious damage to property.
Central Regional Police Commander Patrick Lumumba Monday confirmed the arrest a few minutes after Mr Kariuki, who is also the Ruring’u Ward MCA, surrendered at the Nyeri Police Station.
“He came in this morning. We have been looking for him and the law will take its course,” Mr Lumumba said.
This comes a few days after police sought an arrest warrant against him after a video of the MCA beating up a young man at Giakanja Secondary School went viral.
CHAOS AT FUNDRAISER
The chaotic fundraiser was attended by the deputy president and MPs allied to the Tangatanga faction of the Jubilee Party which supports Dr Ruto’s bid for the presidency in 2022.
On Monday, Mr Kariuki was accompanied by the county assembly Majority Leader James Kanyugo, Wamagana MCA Sebastian Mugo and Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku.
NOT HIDING
According to Mr Kiruga, Mr Kariuki had not been hiding to evade arrest.
"We have brought him and he has surrendered. He is being processed at the station as we speak," Mr Kiruga said Monday morning.
Police have been under pressure to arrest the lawmaker amid accusations that the security department has lost autonomy in dealing with political violence.
Mr Kariuki was released on Sh50,000 cash bail or a Sh100,000 bond after denying four counts facing him.
He is said to have committed the offence on December 8, 2019 outside Giakanja Secondary School during a fundraiser attended by Deputy President William Ruto.
