According to a statement from his family, former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga was detained in Kajiado County's Oloosurutia neighborhood together with his brother and personal assistant.
This arrest occurs on the second day of the statewide Azimio la Umoja rallies, which former prime minister Raila Odinga urged to draw attention to the rising expense of living in the nation.
Since Maina Njenga once served as the head of the notorious Mungiki cult, which engaged in numerous illegal acts, his name has been linked to scandal before. However, he asserted that he had changed recently and made an effort to put his violent past behind him. The authorities still seem to be concerned about his actions despite his apparent efforts to reform.
❗Breaking: Maina Njenga has been arrested and taken to undisclosed location. His lawyer Ndegwa Njiru says https://t.co/kB0VzlgOMQ pic.twitter.com/YdcqtxGGFC
— Cyprian, Is Nyakundi (@C_NyaKundiH) July 19, 2023
The country is currently at a standstill due to the ongoing Azimio la Umoja rallies in which locals are expressing their dissatisfaction with the growing price of essentials including food, fuel, and housing.
Large crowds have gathered for the protests in major cities, calling for quick government action to ease the financial suffering experienced by common people.
Raila Odinga's call for protests highlights the seriousness of the economic crisis and reflects the increasing public dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the situation.
As a prominent opposition figure, Odinga's participation has amplified the protests' significance and drawn considerable media coverage both within the country and abroad.
The recent arrest of Maina Njenga, along with his brother and personal assistant, adds further intricacy to an already volatile situation.
It is not yet evident whether their arrest is directly linked to the protests or if it relates to separate issues concerning Njenga's past associations.
