The arrest occurred in dramatic fashion on the evening of Thursday, July 17, 2025, and was broadcast live on her Facebook account. In the video, police officers are seen entering her home in the Maraigushu area before taking her into custody. Moments before her arrest, Kihara told her followers, “Dozens of police officers are currently at my Maraigushu home to arrest me.”
Following her apprehension, she was taken to Naivasha Police Station where she recorded a statement, before being transferred to the DCI headquarters located on Kiambu Road in Nairobi.
Speaking shortly after the arrest, Kihara claimed she was unaware of any charges against her and described the operation as politically driven. “There is nothing. They are just telling me that I might have information that may aid in investigations, which I really don’t understand,” she said.
She further explained that the order to arrest her appeared to have originated from Nairobi and that the DCI director was waiting for her at headquarters. “So we will go there and see what happens,” she said.
Earlier in the week, a letter signed by Assistant Inspector General of Police George Lenny Kisaka had been delivered to Kihara, summoning her to appear before investigators on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 10:30 am. The letter cited ongoing investigations into statements made by the MP, which allegedly contravened Section 132 of the Penal Code — a provision that criminalizes actions or speech that undermine the authority of public officers.
The letter stated, “I have reasons to believe that you, Hon. Jayne Njeri Wanjiku Kihara, MP Naivasha Constituency, are connected to the offence or have information that can assist me in my investigations.”
In response, Kihara had accused the government of weaponizing state institutions to intimidate political opponents. “The days of intimidating leaders using the criminal justice system are long gone. Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans’ resolve because it’s not about Jayne Kihara but about our country, Kenya,” she said.
Kihara is known to be a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has recently fallen out with President William Ruto’s inner circle, intensifying speculation that her arrest may be linked to political rifts within the Kenya Kwanza government.
The DCI has not yet issued an official statement on the charges or confirmed whether Kihara will face formal prosecution. However, sources within the investigation indicate that a team at the DCI headquarters is reviewing her statements and online posts as part of the probe.
Her arrest has sparked mixed reactions online, with supporters accusing the government of authoritarian tactics, while critics argue that no one should be above the law.
Further developments are expected in the coming days as legal proceedings and political responses unfold.
