Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has been granted a Sh1 million bail at the High Court in Embu to prevent his arrest over in connection with the chaos that erupted at Nembure Stadium last Saturday at UDA’s delegated meeting chaired by the Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The MP moved to court to stop his arrest after detectives mounted a search for him since Sunday over his alleged role and link to the chaos that left two people dead and six vehicles burnt down during the flare-up.
Trouble started when groups of residents not invited to the meeting attempted to force their way, resulting in running battles with the police who were trying to repulse them.
In the orders issued Tuesday by Judge Magare Denis Kizito, the MP was granted an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000 to be executed by the close of business on Thursday, September 17, failure to which the orders will lapse.
The orders were issued on condition that the MP present himself at the DCI Headquarters in Nairobi on September 21 and any other time he may be required to do so.
“These orders do not bar him from being investigated or charged,” stated Justice Magare in his orders.
The MP has so far denied any involvement in the chaos, and in his letter to the National Police Service (NPS) dated September 15, he indicated that he came to know about the incident through the media.
He further stated that he came to learn that he was being pursued by the police in connection to the tragic event through the Government Spokesperson Charles Owino.
While distancing himself from the violence, Mukunji has called on the NPS to institute thorough, transparent, independent and impartial investigations into the incident free from political interference, sideshows, or selective prosecution.
Through his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, the MP stressed that he remains steadfastly committed to due process of the law and to full cooperation with any lawful and impartial investigation.
By Samuel Waititu
