[Education CS Fred Matiang’i with president Uhuru Kenyatta. He has been accused of being behind arrests of hundreds of youths in Keroka. Photo/Nation]
Opposition leaders from Nyamira have accused acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i of ordering arrest of dozens of protestors who buried President Uhuru Kenyatta’s effigy.
Dozens of protesters were arrested and charged with treason, an offense punishable through death penalty at Keroka Police Station.
NASA campaign Secretary, Nyamira branch Nyambega Gisesa has however linked Matiang’i to the fiasco and asked for their immediate release.
“We know Matiangi is behind all these unprecedented arrests. He should own it up and apologize to Abagusii community.
“Kenya is a democratic country and freedom of expression should be allowed at whatever cost. It is wrong to arrest people who were exercising their rights,” he said.
The opposition has given the government until Monday to release the protesters failure to which they will call for demonstrations.
They had come out to defend embattled Chief Justice David Maraga who hails from Nyamira region and has been under persistent criticism from a section of leaders led by President Uhuru Kenyatta.