Kalonzo Condemns Kibagendi Arrest, Accuses Ruto of Intimidation

Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has condemned the arrest of Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi, accusing the government of using state agencies to intimidate political opponents.

In a statement issued on 21 January, Kalonzo criticised President William Ruto’s administration, saying security agencies were being used to suppress dissent. He alleged that Kibagendi was seized in Nairobi and transferred to Narok for prosecution, a move he described as deliberate and punitive.

Kalonzo referred to the transfer as “persecution by geography”, arguing that removing suspects from the place of arrest undermines fairness and due process. He said freedom of expression is protected under the 2010 Constitution and warned that enforcing the law should not be used as a tool to silence criticism of the government.

Kibagendi was arrested on 20 January by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and held at Muthaiga police station. He was later presented before the Narok Law Courts, where he was charged with assault over an incident that allegedly occurred in Kisii in December. He pleaded not guilty and was released on a cash bail of KSh 100,000, with the case set for hearing on 2 March.

The MP has criticised the manner of his arrest, claiming officers blocked his vehicle and handled him roughly during the operation. Police have maintained that the arrest was lawful and related to an ongoing criminal investigation.

Kalonzo's remarks come amid continued claims by opposition figures and rights groups that critics of the government are being targeted through arrests and alleged abductions. These concerns have been raised in connection with several cases involving opposition politicians.

One such case involved Juja MP George Koimburi, who was reported missing last year before being found injured. Opposition leaders initially described the incident as an abduction, but Koimburi later said the episode had been staged for political reasons, casting doubt on earlier claims while not dispelling wider concerns.