Mumias East MP Peter Salasya addresses residents of Limuru in Kiambu county, May 20, 2025. /PETER SALASYA/XMumias East MP Peter Salasya has condemned the use of excessive force by police officers during his arrest on Friday over alleged hate speech.
Salasya was charged on Monday and released on a cash bail of Sh200,000 or a bond of Sh500,000.
Speaking on Tuesday in Limuru, Kiambu county, the outspoken MP cited potential political motivation behind his tribulations and asked the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to uphold the independence of their offices.
"We know the appointing authority is the President according to the Constitution, but that one is an independent office that no one should interfere with," he said.
"Your offices are funded by public funds, you should not intimidate anyone by criminalising anyone for) providing oversight. When the President came into office, he said the opposition should play its role and so should the government," he added.
Salasya was arrested along the Isiolo-Nanyuki highway while returning from political engagements in Meru and Isiolo counties.
He said the arrest was carried out by individuals who identified themselves as officers from the DCI who ambushed his convoy, shot at his vehicle and disarmed his security detail.
Salasya criticised the use of excessive force, saying it was uncalled for.
"It was surprising to see a small child like me being confronted by over 10 heavily armed police officers. How exactly did you expect me to do? You mean you have no mercy?" Salasya posed.
"That office was given to you by God so that you can protect Kenyans and not intimidate them. So please let what happened to me, to (Trans Nzoia Governor George) Natembeya and what the former Deputy President said had been planned against him be past tense," he added.
Upon arrest, Salasya was booked at the Nairobi Central Police Station in Nairobi and arraigned on Monday at the Milimani Law Courts in connection with allegations of hate speech on one of his X accounts bordering on ethnic vilification and incitement.
He pleaded not guilty to the charges and distanced himself from the post, noting that he manages multiple accounts and could not confirm its origin.
On April 28, 2025, Salasya released a public statement on his social media channels officially declaring his intention to run for the presidency in the 2027 general election.
His lawyer, Ken Echesa, told the court the charges were fabricated to derail his political ambitions.
