NAKURU, April 20 – Former Nakuru Town Member of Parliament (MP) David Manyara and businessman Zakayo Maina were likely to spend a second night in custody after their lawyers were unable to secure their release.
The duo were arrested on Saturday on allegations of having links with outlawed Mungiki sect.
“He was arrested yesterday at about 3 pm after he was called by Mr Zakayo who had been arrested earlier,” lawyer Gordon Ogola said on Sunday.
The two politicians who were initially held at the Nakuru Criminal Investigations Department were transferred to Menengai Police Station.
Five lawyers representing them pressed officers for their release.
“We have looked at the Occurrence book and they (police) say the men are the ones who had sponsored the mayhem in Nakuru. Of course we say they have no evidence,” Ogola added.
“What they want to charge him (Manyara) with is a misdemeanour and is a bailable offence. He should be released on bond.”
The lawyers wanted their clients either released or charged in court on Monday.
The lawyers are Kahiga Waitinde, Lawrence Karanja, Njenga Mwangi and Hari Gakinya.
Manyara was charged with murder of 20 people allegedly killed by members of the Mungiki sect in 2003 but released in 2004 for lack of evidence.
The sect that had seemingly gone underground resurfaced during the political crisis after last year’s elections.
They then arose again last Monday to protest the killing of their leader Maina Njenga’s wife Virginia and her driver.
A fresh crack-down on the group was launched since and more than 300 suspects arrested.
Police have also shot and killed more than 20 suspects since the crackdown started.
The operation continued even as law enforcement agencies said they were at a loss on contradicting government policies issued over the crackdown on Mungiki sect members.
This follows Thursday’s announcement by Prime Minister Raila Odinga who invited the sect members for negotiations, contradicting a Ministerial statement issued in Parliament on Wednesday by Internal Security Minister Professor George Saitoti.
While Professor Saitoti maintains the government will not negotiate with the criminal gang, the Prime Minister invited the notorious group ‘to reason together as Kenyans’.
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