Protests rock Embu as residents demand release of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji

Embu residents protest, demanding the release of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji on July 8, 2025. (Photo: Handout)

By Maureen Kinyanjui
Tuesday, July 8, 2025

The demonstrators, some of whom could be seen chanting and waving placards, accused the government of targeting their MP unfairly.

A wave of unrest swept through Embu on Tuesday as angry residents poured into the streets, lighting tyres and blocking roads while demanding the immediate release of Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji.

The MP was arrested on Monday during the Saba Saba protests, triggering widespread outrage among his supporters.

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The demonstrators, some of whom could be seen chanting and waving placards, accused the government of targeting their MP unfairly.

They said Mukunji was being punished for speaking out and demanded that he be released without conditions.

“Our MP is innocent! We will not sit and watch as he is persecuted for speaking out. Let them release him unconditionally,” one protester shouted, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

Businesses in the area remained closed as tension built up, with many traders fearing their shops could be looted in the chaos. Transport was also brought to a standstill, as key roads were blocked and movement within Embu was disrupted.

Police had a hard time restoring order and were forced to disperse crowds in different parts of the county.

The protest followed Mukunji’s arrest, which came amid accusations that he incited violence during the Saba Saba demonstrations in Embu County.

According to his lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, the MP was arrested around 3:00 pm on Monday and taken to Kibii Police Station in Juja, where he was booked at 3:53 pm. “He was arrested around 3:00 pm and booked under OB number 06/07/07/2025,” Njiru said.

Later that evening, officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations based in Juja picked up the legislator from the station. The National Police Service later confirmed the arrest in an official statement released on Monday night.

“A number of suspects have been arrested, including Gitonga Mukunji, MP for Manyatta Constituency,” the statement said.

Mukunji was then moved to Muthaiga Police Station, where he spent the night under police custody. On Wednesday morning, around 10 am, he was taken to the Kahawa Law Courts.

The situation in Embu remained tense as residents continued to voice their dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the arrest. Local leaders have yet to issue a statement, but supporters say they will not stop until their MP is set free.