Police raid Mwingi Central MP’s home, lob teargas for insulting President Uhuru

• Mwingi central MP Gideon Mulyungi’s home was raided by police seeking to arrest him
• The MP was being sought over hate speech
• The officers were forced to leave after an irate crowd started chanting slogans

Armed officers from Mwingi Police Station yesterday raided the home of Mwingi central MP Gideon Mulyungi seeking to arrest him over hate speech remarks.

The officers told the press they wanted to question Mulyungi in relation to inciting remarks he reportedly made which were construed as an insult to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The officers who were about ten, were led by acting county Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) boss Simon Mwongera in the mission.

Protestors

“We have summoned him to appear in our offices for interrogation but he has failed to show up. His phone has since been off.

It is true that we are looking for him in connection to hate speech and also because he has claimed his life is in danger,” Mwongera said.

He allegedly made the remarks during a political rally in Kitui town on Monday.

They however did not find him at his home situated four kilometres from Mwingi town.

Instead, they interrogated a few of his workers but left after an irate crowd gathered at the home started protesting.

Mwongera engaged the MP’s uncle Campbell Munyambu in a heated exchange as the MP’s kin sought to know why they wanted to arrest him.

At one point Mwongera, was heard asking if the legislator had other homes.

Fled home

When the crowd became unmanageable, the officers retreated to their cars and sped off. But they vowed to continue with the hunt until they arrest him.

Meanwhile, the protesters vowed to defend their leader to the end.

“We have resolved we will be the ones to guard our MP because it appears the police have a vendetta against him. We will not allow them to come and harass him in his home,” shouted one of the demonstrators.

Later in the day, police were forced to use teargas canisters and disperse a rowdy crowd of youth who attempted to storm Mwingi Police Station to register their displeasure.

Mr Mulyungi has been in hiding since Tuesday and recently claimed his life was in danger.