Trans Nzoia County Assembly Deputy Speaker Obed Mwale Mahanga spent Monday night in the cells at Kapenguria Police Station after armed officers picked him up in Kitale over what police describe as funding criminal activity and organising groups to disrupt political gatherings. Governor George Natembeya, who confirmed the arrest, said the accusations include an alleged plan to obstruct President William Ruto's motorcade during the Head of State's October 16 visit to Kitale.

The Matisi Ward MCA, who is seeking the Trans Nzoia Senate seat on a Linda Mwananchi Movement ticket, was moved to neighbouring West Pokot County rather than being booked in Kitale, a detail his allies say points to a political motive. He had not been charged in court by Tuesday afternoon, and the allegations against him remain unproven.

'Waiting for arraignment'

"Obed Mwale has been locked up in a cell, waiting for arraignment in court tomorrow at 9 am. Some of the charges are obstructing Ruto's motorcade while in Kitale," Governor Natembeya said. He added that the MCA was also accused of sponsoring groups that disrupted Kenya Kwanza rallies in the county.

Footage from Kapenguria showed supporters and a team of volunteer lawyers aligned to Linda Mwananchi gathering at the station in an effort to secure his release.

Linda Mwananchi cries foul

The movement led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna said the arrest was intended to intimidate and silence a popular candidate. "We reject these allegations as politically motivated and intended to intimidate and silence Obed, a very popular candidate who is challenging UDA's Allan Chesang," the party's head of communication, Pauline Njoroge, said in a statement on Tuesday.

She said leaders should not be harassed for their political views or for working with Governor Natembeya, and demanded Mr Mwale's immediate release. "Despite this harassment, we will soldier on, more determined than ever to remove Ruto from office," she said.

The Eastleigh Voice reported that the arrest follows other incidents involving people close to the governor's office, including the October 22 arrest of a photographer attached to the county, and a member of the communications team going into hiding after claiming detectives were looking for him.

The Kitale flyover incident

The case traces back to the afternoon of October 16, when the presidential motorcade leaving Kitale after the launch of a student village and medical training facilities met a convoy carrying Senator Sifuna and Linda Mwananchi supporters at the Kitale flyover. After the President left, Mr Sifuna and Governor Natembeya addressed supporters before police dispersed the crowd with tear gas.

The National Police Service later said two officers were injured and two government vehicles damaged, and warned that anyone found sponsoring gangs, inciting supporters or disrupting lawful gatherings would face the law. Its statement did not name Mr Mwale or any other politician.

The arrest deepens an already bitter standoff between Governor Natembeya and the national government, which has included the withdrawal of his security detail, a dispute over the Sh821 million Masinde Muliro Market project, and the governor's elevation to lead Linda Mwananchi's presidential campaign structure. It also comes a day after Inspector General Douglas Kanja told police commanders they would be held responsible for political gangs in their areas ahead of the 2027 polls.

Photos: Obed Mwale Mahanga (People Daily/X @abbiezuena); George Natembeya (People Daily/X @GeorgeNatembeya). Thumbnail design: HAMASTA MEDIA.