Paul Mwirigi charged with obstruction, helping prisoner escape

Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi in court on November 27, 2018, when he was charged with police obstruction and helping a prisoner to escape. PHOTO | DAVID MUCHUI | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • Mwirigi was arrested on Monday for mobilising Probox and motorcycle drivers to oppose the ongoing road safety crackdown.
  • Mikinduri town Chief Jacob Michuki said the MP was with people who attempted to remove a police roadblock at Kiguchwa market along Mikinduri- Maua road.

Igembe South lawmaker John Paul Mwirigi was charged on Tuesday with obstruction of a police officer and helping a prisoner to escape.

The member of parliament (MP) was arrested on Monday and taken to Mikinduri police Station in Meru County for mobilising Probox and motorcycle drivers to oppose the ongoing road safety crackdown.

PUBLIC UNREST

Mr Mwirigi, Kenya's youngest MP who is 24 years old, pleaded not guilty to the charges before Meru Senior Principal Magistrate Stella Abuya.

The defence team, led by lawyer Ken Muriuki, sought his release on bond saying the offences are misdemeanours.

The prosecution, however, argued that there is public unrest and that he may interfere with investigations.

Mr Mwirigi was represented by three lawyers.

He was ordered to appear in court on December 5 while the hearing was set for February 25.

OFFENCES

Mr Mwirigi was apprehended in connection to a Monday morning incident in which the transporters blocked a road to protest against the ongoing crackdown.

Mikinduri town Chief Jacob Michuki told the Nation that the MP was with people who attempted to remove a police roadblock at Kiguchwa market along Mikinduri- Maua road.

Officers manning the roadblock were forced to call for reinforcement but the youthful legislator and his entourage fled.

The chief further said that Mr Mwirigi on Friday accompanied East African Legislative Assembly MP Mpuru Aburi to Mikinduri, where they urged the operators of non-compliant vehicles to return to the roads despite the crackdown.

Mr Aburi, Rahim Dawood (Imenti North) and Moses Kirima (Imenti Central) vowed to organise a mega demonstration and paralyse transport in Meru town this Friday if police do not back down.