Gatundu North MP Elijah “Kururia” Njoroge has ignited a fierce backlash after he publicly praised the police for arresting activist Kebaso Morara on Monday.
Speaking in an interview with Inooro FM on Tuesday, October 1, Njoroge expressed his desire for Morara to be held at a police station within his constituency, suggesting that police should no longer move him around to evade outraged citizens.
Njoroge stated, “I have police who are moving Morara to various police stations. I would like him to be brought to one in Gatundu, which has street children in it.”
He went on to add, “Those officers who arrested him, God bless you so much. I pray they keep moving him so that Morara now knows this country has laws.”
Gatudu North MP Elijah Njoroge at a past engagement.
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Njoroge
Njoroge’s comments have drawn the ire of many Kenyans online, leading to the outpouring of anger. One particularly striking remark suggested he might not be fully aware of the implications of his words.
Zachary Oguda, brother to Gabriel Oguda, responded to the video stated, “I have said it and I’ll repeat if we are to change how this country is run, we need to start recalling such MPs.”
A video shared online by Joshua Okayo, a student leader from the Kenya School of Law, revealed alarming allegations of police brutality against activists, claiming that some had been beaten, with one admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital due to injuries sustained during their detention.
“Some of us have been hit on their hands. Some of us have been made to sleep on their bellies, and some of us have been made to walk on their knees,” Okayo reported, highlighting the extreme measures allegedly taken by law enforcement.
Morara, a prominent figure known for exposing corruption and misuse of public funds, was apprehended in what many activists have branded a blatant act of intimidation.
The aftermath of Morara’s arrest has led to protests outside the Nairobi Regional Police Headquarters, where a video captured the moment he was forcibly placed into a Subaru Forester, before being taken away. As activists, including Senator Okiya Omtatah, rallied for his release, they were met with tear gas and police force, illustrating the lengths authorities will go to suppress dissent.
Irungu Houghton, the Executive Director of Amnesty International Kenya, condemned the arrest as a severe infringement on freedom of expression. “This is a misuse of law enforcement. Morara’s detention violates his rights and denies the public access to critical information about government corruption,” he stated, further emphasising the importance of transparency in governance.
Morara’s legal representative, Pareno Solonka, has reported that the activist is still being held incommunicado, with lawyers being denied access to him at the police station. Officers reportedly claimed they were acting on “orders from above,” raising serious questions about accountability and the rule of law.
At just 28 years old, Morara has gained national prominence for his critical examinations of how billions of taxpayer funds are misappropriated into fictitious projects. His outspoken nature has garnered him both admiration and hostility, with government agents allegedly tracking his activities since late August.
Lawyer Morara Kebaso during one of his tours to expose stalled projects.
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Morara Kebaso
