Concerns over a ‘discriminatory’ order for police to inform DIG Mbugua before arresting MPs, Senators

NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 3- The brief detention of Nairobi governor Mike Sonko has prompted a curious order from police boss Edward Mbugua to his juniors.

Mbugua wants police to first inform his office if and when they plan to arrest a member of parliament or senator.

This has caused concerns among some police officers and human rights groups who are wondering if the group is a different class of citizens in the country given the standing orders give police officers powers to arrest any offenders irrespective of class or status.

“Does it means if a police officer witnessed an MP commit a crime I will have to call his office first then proceed?” posed an officer.

When Sonko was this week briefly detained by police during an operation to disrupt his meeting over COVID-19 pandemic rules, there was confusion if indeed he had been arrested.

Those on the ground told police headquarters he was taken to safety after a tear gas was lobbed at him.

A group of Members of County Assemblies allied to him had attempted to stop police from ‘arresting’ him.

“It has been directed before making an arrest of a Member of Senate of the National Assembly consultations will be done through the Deputy Inspector General, Kenya Police Service for concurrence and further direction,” reads a memo copied to all regional police commanders.

But pictures taken from the scene showed him seated in a police car but was later released and left there.

This prompted a flurry of queries from various quarters and later led to DIG Mbugua issuing the memo seen by Shahidi News.

Mbugua seemed not to be aware if indeed Sonko had been detained because the officers on the ground had not communicated to his office of the developments on ground.