The High Court has ordered the release of Mukurwe-ini MP John Philip Gichohi Kaguchia on a cash bail of Ksh.100,000, just hours after he was arrested over remarks he made during a political rally in Nyeri County over the weekend.
The orders were issued on Monday by the Kiambu High Court, allowing the legislator to secure his freedom as his case continues before the court.
Lady Justice Njoki Mwangi certified Kaguchia’s application as urgent and directed that he be released immediately after depositing the cash bail. The court also granted interim relief pending the hearing and determination of the matter.
The application had been filed under a certificate of urgency following the MP’s arrest earlier in the day. During the court session, the judge directed Kaguchia to serve the application on the respondents, including the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Public Prosecutions.
The respondents were given 14 days to file and serve their responses. The court also allowed the MP another 14 days to submit a supplementary affidavit if necessary after receiving the responses.
The case will now proceed to a virtual hearing scheduled for September 16, 2026, when the court is expected to consider the substantive application.
Kaguchia was arrested by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations on Monday morning after spending the night at the Royal Media Services offices. The MP had remained at the media station from Sunday evening, saying he feared arrest after police officers reportedly surrounded the premises and set up roadblocks around the area.
Before he was taken into custody, Kaguchia told Citizen TV that he was under investigation because of remarks he made during a political rally held in Kieni, Nyeri County, on Saturday. He insisted that his comments had been taken out of context and interpreted in a way that did not reflect what he intended to communicate.
The legislator also accused government digital strategist Dennis Itumbi and several leaders from the Mt Kenya region of spreading claims against him and creating a different narrative around his speech.
He further stated that he had not received any official summons from investigators before his arrest. According to Kaguchia, he had only seen discussions about the matter on social media. He maintained that he was ready to appear before the National Cohesion and Integration Commission if required, saying the issue fell under the commission’s mandate.
The investigation stems from remarks the MP allegedly made during the rally, where he reportedly warned Mt Kenya residents about the consequences of supporting President William Ruto in the 2027 General Election. Authorities are examining the statements to determine whether they violated the law.
Regional DCI commander Daniel Kandie was among the officers involved in the arrest. Although Kaguchia was initially expected to be taken to the regional DCI offices in Milimani, he was later transferred to the DCI headquarters along Kiambu Road before the High Court ordered his release on cash bail.
