Pokot South MP David Pkosing has revealed why he was arrested and brought in for questioning by DCI officers.
He was arrested on Thursday evening as he was leaving his office at KICC and taken to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters.
However, Pkosing was released at around 10:30 pm after hours of grilling by detectives at DCI over allegations of facilitating the operations of bandits in Northern Kenya.
The MP, speaking to the press after his release, claimed he was queried about reports that he posted bond for 7 young Pokot boys who – according to him – the police consider bandits.
"I'm shocked that I was arrested because of claims that I paid bond for children who were very poor and had been accused of being criminals," he said.
"I have never met them and I don't even know the children. What I know is they are innocent and that is why the court in Kitale found it fit to give them bond," Pkosing added.
He claimed that the young boys were actually the owners of over 200 heads of cattle that had just been killed by bandits, and were arrested while checking on their cows, then briefly detained at Lokichar before being transferred to Kitale where they were arraigned and freed on bond.
Several MPs from West Pokot trooped to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road in solidarity with the lawmaker.
They include Senator Julius Murgor, Woman Rep Rael Leotum, Sigor MP Peter Lokachapong, Kacheliba MP Titus Lotee and Kapenguria MP Samuel Moroto.
The Legislator further condemned his arrest, noting that there are other leaders who have even spoken badly on the issue but he was the target.
Pkosing noted that he has never been arrested in the 15 years of his political career.
"I have never been arrested or written a statement since I was born. I'm a peaceful man and I was in Peace and Justice commission before venturing into politics," he added.
The MP challenged the government to show him a law that states that as a legislator he is not allowed to pay bonds to anyone.
Pkosing vowed to never cease speaking about the Pokot despite intimidation.
He emphasized that the Pokots are not bandits and peace won't be brought about by intimidating leaders.
"If there is anyone who wanted to intimidate me, let them know I will not stop talking about the Pokot," Pkosing said.
