The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has confirmed the arrest of Jacaranda Bunge la Mwananchi leader Evans Kawala, dismissing claims by opposition leaders that he had been abducted.
In a statement released on Wednesday, May 27, the DCI said the 33-year-old activist was arrested on Tuesday evening over allegations of making inflammatory public remarks targeting President William Ruto.
According to detectives, the remarks circulated widely on social media and were considered highly inciteful, posing what authorities described as a threat to public cohesion and national stability.
DCI Explains Circumstances Of Arrest
The DCI stated that officers from the Operations Support Unit conducted an operation that led to Kawala’s arrest at a shopping mall in the Kayole area of Nairobi.
In the official statement, detectives maintained that the arrest was lawful and linked directly to investigations into alleged hate-inciting statements made publicly by the activist.
“Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) have arrested a suspect linked to inflammatory public utterances that have gone viral across social media platforms, with content deemed highly inciteful and a serious threat to public cohesion and national stability,” the agency stated.
Authorities further confirmed that Kawala remains in police custody awaiting arraignment in court.
Arrest Linked To Remarks About Ruto Security Breach
Kawala’s arrest reportedly followed comments he made concerning President Ruto after a recent incident in Ganze, Kilifi County, where a man managed to breach the President’s security before officers intervened.
The incident had sparked intense debate online regarding presidential security and public frustration with the government.
Detectives now claim that remarks made by Kawala following the incident crossed legal limits and amounted to dangerous incitement.
The DCI has not yet disclosed the specific charges he is expected to face in court.
Opposition Leaders Had Claimed Abduction
Before the DCI confirmed the arrest, several opposition leaders had alleged that Kawala had been abducted by state agents.
Among those who spoke out was James Orengo, who accused the government of targeting critics of President Ruto’s administration.
In a statement issued Tuesday evening, Orengo described the incident as political intimidation aimed at silencing dissenting voices.
“Tonight, the Ruto administration resorted to desperate measures by abducting Evance ‘Kidero Jasuba’ Kawala, a vocal champion of the Jacaranda Bunge La Mwananchi, simply for speaking truth to power,” Orengo stated.
The Siaya governor further argued that suppressing critics reflected weakness within the government.
“Oppression only signals a government’s weakness. You can abduct a critic, but you cannot chain the spirit of defiance. We demand his immediate and unconditional release,” he added.
Debate Over Free Speech And State Crackdown
Kawala’s arrest has once again ignited debate online over freedom of expression, political criticism, and the state’s handling of outspoken activists.
Supporters of the activist argue that criticism of government leadership should not result in arrests, while others believe authorities have a responsibility to act against statements viewed as inflammatory or capable of inciting unrest.
The case is expected to attract significant public and political attention once Kawala is presented before court.