A Kitui Member of County Assembly was Sunday arrested in a probe into claims of ethnic contempt.
Officials from National Cohesion and Integration Commission nabbed Nguni Ward representative Jeremiah Mutua on Sunday for the offence of ethnic contempt contrary to section 62(1) of NCIC Act No. 12 of 2008.
He was apprehended at Miyuni Apostolic Church with some resistance from rowdy residents during the arrest, police said.
He had earlier allegedly said that camel herders are given 24 hours to move out of Kamba land in Sosoma, Mwanzele and Ukasi or else he will send his rescue team. To the NCIC officials, this was biased and criminal.
He was detained at a police station in Embu ahead of planned arraignment on Monday.
Police said immediately after his arrest his supporters blocked Thika – Garissa highway in Nguni and Ukasi.
Police had to use teargas canisters to disperse the group, which had blocked the crucial road.
There has been growing tension between herders and locals in parts of Mwingi.
This is after the locals accused the herders of invading their farms for pasture.
In some incidents, the clashes have turned deadly.
Police say they have deployed more officers to the area to tame any tension that may emerge between the groups.
Mombasa Governor Mandates Fire Safety Inspections In Schools After Nyeri Fire Tragedy
