Former Governor Waititu Arrested Over Controversial Remarks as Opposition Cries Foul.

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu is set to spend the night at Pangani Police Station following his arrest on Monday afternoon, a development that has sparked a political uproar. Waititu, who was apprehended for allegedly making inflammatory remarks at a public event, now faces cybercrime-related charges. His arrest, carried out by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), has drawn fierce criticism from opposition leaders, who view the move as politically motivated.

Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu

Waititu’s detention stems from remarks he made during a Sunday night event in Ruiru, where a popular Kikuyu musician was performing. In a video that surfaced from the event, Waititu is heard stating, "But we said one thing: if they take that motion to Parliament, then Gachagua's MPs, led by Kalonzo’s MPs, will also take a motion to impeach Ruto. There’s no day Gachagua will go home alone since we voted them in as one ticket."

These remarks allegedly triggered the DCI to act swiftly, leading to his arrest on Monday along the Eastern Bypass while he was attending to personal matters. The suddenness of the arrest left many in the opposition camp enraged, particularly after opposition leaders, led by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, were denied entry at the DCI headquarters.

The opposition immediately decried Waititu's arrest, calling it an act of intimidation by the government. Eugene Wamalwa, a senior opposition leader, commented, "When a senior counsel like Kalonzo arrives, he is supposed to lead the team." Meanwhile, Kalonzo Musyoka did not mince words, saying, "Any unexplained arrest is nothing short of an abduction. We have come to say no."

Tensions flared as opposition leaders attempted to gain access to Waititu at the DCI offices but were met with a standoff with police officers, reportedly acting on orders from higher authorities. The leaders demanded to know why Waititu had not been summoned by the National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) if his remarks were truly considered inflammatory.

Waititu remains in custody at Pangani Police Station, awaiting arraignment on Tuesday, where he is expected to face charges linked to cybercrime. The opposition has vowed to continue pressing for answers, labeling the arrest as yet another attempt to silence dissent in the country.

As the political scene continues to heat up, all eyes will be on the courtroom proceedings and the broader implications of Waititu’s arrest, especially amid rising tensions between the opposition and the government.