MPs Debate Motion to Stop Police from Arresting them on Fridays

Members of Parliament on Wednesday debated a motion seeking to bar police from arresting them on Fridays and during public holidays. 

The motion, tabled by West Mugirango MP Vincent Kemosi seeks to stop legislators from being apprehended and detained on the aforementioned days. 

In his motion Kemosi, who received backing from his colleagues, argues that the practice by police has seen a number of legislators spend long weekends in custody before they are arraigned in court on Monday.

He further says that police have used the arrests to harass and intimidate not only MPs, but also ordinary Kenyans before they are presented in court. 

"The way arrests are organized and conducted are against constitutional rights of suspects and is only aimed at intimidating, harassing and frustrating the accused," Kemosi lamented.

More than 10 MPs have spent the weekend in police cells on charges ranging from incitement, fraud, and corruption, before they are taken before a judge on Monday. 

Over the weekend, Nakuru Town West MP Samuel Arama was arrested at an entertainment joint over land fraud claims and spend Friday, Saturday and Sunday night in cell before he was arraigned in court on Monday.

 Minority Whip Junet Mohammed backed Kemosi's motion, noting that he was a victim. Junet was detained for four days in Pangani Police station alongside five other MPs over incitement.

"This house must protect the constitution and we must speak for other Kenyans outside there who are sitting and who should be given reasonable police bail or bond," the ODM MP said.

Kipipiri MP Amos Kimunya said: "All suspects till in court are innocent until proven guilty, we must speak against illegalities made to our colleagues, don’t wait until they come for you."

Others who made submissions in favor of the motion included Kisii Woman Representative Janet Ongera and Kitui Central MP Makali Mulu.