Karatina MCA summoned by DCI amid allegations of political intimidation

Karatina Member of County Assembly (MCA) Watson Weru has been summoned by detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to appear before their offices in Karatina, Nyeri County, in a move he claims is politically motivated.

Speaking outside the County Criminal Investigations Office (CCIO) in Nyeri town on Tuesday evening, Weru said he had been initially directed to report there, only to be referred back to the Karatina DCI offices without explanation.

“I was called in the morning and told to appear at the CCIO in Nyeri town. But when I got here, I was redirected to Karatina. I still don’t know why I was summoned,” Mr Weru told journalists.

Mr Weru linked the summons to an ongoing dispute involving Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi and his wife Betty Maina, who is also the Murang’a Woman Representative.

He said the couple had accused him of plotting to attack their home.

“Last Thursday, at around 10:36am, I received a call from Ms Maina. She accused me of sending goons to torch their house and threatened to show both me and my son a lesson. I reported the matter at Karatina Police Station and I have the OB number,” Mr Weru alleged.

He further claimed that later that night, MP Wamumbi also called him, allegedly threatening to retaliate by setting his house on fire. Mr Weru dismissed the threats as political intimidation.

“This is clearly a political witch-hunt meant to silence us. The 2027 elections are still far off. We should be focusing on service delivery, not inciting the public,” he added.

A group of leaders from Nyeri County Assembly and Parliament accompanied Mr Weru in a show of solidarity and condemned the alleged harassment.

Nyeri County Assembly Speaker James Gichuhi urged investigators to focus on the right suspects linked to the June 25, 2025 Gen Z protests, which rocked parts of the country.

“Let us be honest. Those who planned the demonstrations are known. Authorities should pursue the real culprits instead of harassing innocent leaders,” Gichuhi said.

Kirimukuyu MCA Muriithi Ndagita accused the government of using the criminal justice system to suppress dissenting voices.

“This is a political ploy meant to divert attention from the real issues affecting Kenyans. Weru filed a police report over the threats he received from Wamumbi, yet no action has been taken against the MP,” Ndagita said.

Iria-ini MCA David Kabatha echoed the sentiment, accusing the state of targeting leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“This is part of a wider plan to intimidate those supporting Gachagua. But we will not be cowed. We will stand in solidarity with our colleague,” Kabatha said.

Mukurwe-ini West MP Atanasio Kabaire condemned the intimidation of elected leaders and warned against the erosion of civil liberties.

“During the Gen Z protests in Karatina, criminals were deployed to incite violence and destroy property. The government should go after those responsible instead of targeting leaders like Weru. If anything happens to him, the state must be held accountable,” Kabaire said.

Weru’s lawyer, Ms Wambui Kiboi, confirmed that her client had been summoned but had yet to be formally charged.

“We came here following the summons issued to MCA Weru. So far, no formal charges have been communicated. He has now been instructed to appear at the Karatina DCI offices on Wednesday,” she said.

As investigations continue, leaders have vowed to resist what they describe as politically motivated harassment and urged authorities to ensure justice is applied fairly and without bias.