Former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was on Friday arrested in connection with the recent killings at Matungu, Kakamega Country.
Echesa was intercepted by the police at Likuyani where he had visited ahead of Deputy President William Ruto's expected trip. The DP was set to launch a road in the region.
Detectives drove Mr Echesa to Kakamega DCIO offices where he's being grilled. At least 18 people were butchered by unknown gangs last month in the area, sparking public outcry.
On Thursday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr Fred Matiang'i and Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai visited the region. Matiang'i promised a crack down aiming at those behind the murders.
"We will go to the direction the investigations will take. We don't care who you are under the political class and your status in society. We will arrest and deal with you as per the law," he warned.
Dr Matiang'i announced that the government had deployed more GSU officers to the region to beef up security. He promised restoration of sanity.
"The days of those criminals who have been attacking villagers and killing them are numbered. From today, we are deploying the GSU and increasing the number of other security officers to restore sanity," he said.
Mr Echesa was sacked by President Uhuru Kenyatta in February and subsequently replaced by Dr Amina Mohammed. State House has never revealed the reasons behind his dismissal.
During his tenure, he locked horns with several politicians among them Raila Odinga and Senator Cleophas Malala. Malala was also arrested on Friday in connection to the killings.