Trans Nzoia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale is a free man. A court in Kapenguria released him unconditionally on Wednesday, The Star and the state-run Kenya News Agency reported. Neither outlet's headline gave a reason for the release.
Mwale is the Matisi Ward MCA and the Linda Mwananchi movement's Senate aspirant for Trans Nzoia. Armed police officers picked him up in Kitale on Monday, The Eastleigh Voice reported. They took him to Kapenguria Police Station in neighbouring West Pokot County, where he spent the night in a cell. Kenyans.co.ke reported that his supporters and lawyers crowded the station to try to secure his release.
Governor George Natembeya confirmed the arrest. He said some of the charges related to obstructing President William Ruto's motorcade in Kitale. According to Natembeya, Mwale was also accused of sponsoring goons to disrupt Kenya Kwanza rallies in the county. Pauline Njoroge, Linda Mwananchi's Head of Communication, said police accused him of funding criminal activities and organising goons.
The movement called the allegations politically motivated and demanded his immediate release. Njoroge said the arrest was meant to intimidate and silence a popular candidate challenging UDA's Allan Chesang for the Senate seat. The movement described the arrest as part of a pattern of harassment against its leaders and people working closely with Natembeya. It vowed to keep campaigning to remove Ruto from office.
The accusations date back to October 16. That day, Ruto's motorcade met a convoy carrying Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi supporters near the Kitale flyover. Ruto was in town to launch development projects. After he left, Sifuna and Natembeya addressed supporters, and police broke up the crowd with tear gas. The National Police Service said two officers were injured and two government vehicles were damaged. Its statement did not name Mwale.
Other people linked to Natembeya's office have also run into trouble with police, The Eastleigh Voice reported. Detectives arrested Amos Boaz Masika, the governor's official photographer, in Kitale on October 22. David Musundi, another member of the governor's communications team, reportedly went into hiding. Natembeya and the national government are also at odds over the Sh821 million Masinde Muliro Market project and over changes to the governor's security.