Why former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu was arrested

Former Kiambu governor Ferdinand Waititu was on Monday afternoon arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).

The arrest, confirmed by his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru is reportedly linked to remarks Waititu made during a function in Ruiru, Kiambu County on Sunday.

Waititu is accused of using hate speech in his native language, which allegedly led to his arrest.

According to Ndegwa, the arrest is an attempt to intimidate the former governor, especially after his public criticism of President William Ruto's handling of the anti-government protests that took place in June and July 2024.

On Sunday at a church service, he said that if Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is impeached, he should go home with his boss President William Ruto.

“All indication shows it has to do with my yesterday utterances in Ruiru on matters of the Deputy President’s impeachment,” Waititu said after his arrest.

Police said they took the action to forestall further remarks that may incite the public.

Political leaders led by Kalonzo Musyoka rushed to the DCI headquarters to demand his release.

Kalonzo said the former Governor had been “arbitrarily arrested and unlawfully kidnapped by unknown individuals suspected to be State Security agents”.

“We are on high-security alert and actively seeking and actively seeking information regarding Governor Waititu’s whereabouts,” he said.

The Wiper Party said they will not only include demands that the arrested county boss be given access to his family, a lawyer, and a doctor but also that he be immediately released from illegal detention “unless he is charged with an internationally recognised offence”.

Waititu has of late joined political leaders led by Musyoka in campaigning against perceived bad governance.

The arrest comes barely a day after he, alongside other opposition leaders, including Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, were denied entry to a church in Kitengela.

The team, which also included Democratic Action Party- Kenya’s boss Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kioni, and politician Jimmy Wanjigi, were also forced to cancel planned rallies in Mlolongo and Kitengela over safety fears.