The High Court in Embu has granted Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mwaniki Mukunji anticipatory bail of Sh1 million, with an alternative cash bail of Sh500,000, as police investigate violence that disrupted a UDA meeting at Nembure Grounds on September 12.
Justice Dennis Kizito Magare on Wednesday ordered Mukunji to report to DCI headquarters in Nairobi on September 21 and on any other Monday as directed, while stressing that the orders do not bar him from being “investigated and charged”.
The court directed the respondents to respond to the application by September 23, with further directions set for September 29.
The case follows a letter by Mukunji’s lawyers, Ndegwa and Ndegwa Associates, to the Inspector General of Police and the DCI on September 15, calling for what they described as a “fair and impartial investigation” into the Nembure violence.
The lawyers said Mukunji learnt through remarks attributed to Government Spokesperson Charles Owino and aired on Citizen Television that investigators were reportedly seeking him over the incident.
They questioned what they described as a change in the police position, saying earlier communication had indicated that Mukunji was not a person under investigation.
According to the lawyers, the conflicting messages had created uncertainty over whether the MP was being treated as a suspect.
The violence erupted during a UDA delegates’ meeting presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and attended by Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and other political leaders.
Police said the confrontation left one person dead, several officers injured and vehicles torched, while the DCI has since arrested suspects and said it was pursuing others linked to the unrest.
Mukunji has denied involvement in the violence, while his lawyers have called for the investigation to proceed without intimidation or political interference.
The High Court order does not stop investigators from pursuing the case, but requires Mukunji to comply with the reporting conditions attached to his anticipatory bail.