Naivasha Member of Parliament Jane Kihara has been arrested by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) after failing to present herself to detectives following allegations of incitement and undermining a public officer.
In a dramatic event, which she livestreamed on her Facebook account on Thursday, July 17, detectives were seen storming her house in the Maraigushu area and eventually apprehending her.
She was taken to Naivasha Police Station to record a statement and later transported to the DCI headquarters on Kiambu Road, Nairobi.
Minutes after her arrest, the lawmaker, an ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claimed she was not aware of the charges that led to her apprehension and that the move was politically motivated.
"There is nothing, they are just telling me that I might have investigations that may aid in investigations, which I really don't know what they are talking about, and the information they are seeking," she stated.
"The summons is said to have come from Nairobi, and the director is waiting for me there. So we will go there and see what happens," she added.
According to a letter issued earlier this week by the Assistant Inspector General of Police, George Lenny Kisaka, the lawmaker was under investigation for disseminating statements that contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code, which criminalises undermining the authority of public officers.
The letter claimed that security agencies have reasons to believe that the lawmaker is directly connected to the alleged offence or possesses crucial information that can aid ongoing investigations.
“I have reasons to believe that you, Hon. Jayne Njeri Wanjiku Kihara, MP Naivasha Constituency, are connected to the offence or have information that can assist me in my investigations,” the letter read.
Kihara had been ordered to present herself before officers at the DCI Headquarters, on Kiambu Road, on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 10:30 am. The notice cautioned that she would be liable to prosecution if she failed to present herself on the stipulated date.
Responding to the letter, Kihara accused the government of using state agencies to intimidate and silence critics.
“The days of intimidating leaders using the criminal justice system are long gone. Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans’ resolve because it’s not about Jayne Kihara but about our country, Kenya,” Kihara said.
