Ex Nandi Hills Mp Alfred Keter Released: On Thursday, July 04, 2024, former Nandi Hills Member of Parliament Alfred Keter was released from police custody after a dramatic arrest in Nairobi.Â
Alfred Keter, the former Member of Parliament for Nandi Hills Constituency in Kenya, is reported to have a net worth of around KES 440 million, or approximately $3.5 million.
Keter was apprehended by plainclothes security officers while in the company of his wife and children as he was returning from church. The arrest was captured on video, showing Keter being forcefully removed from his car as his family members pleaded for help.Â
According to the police, Keter was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to traffic firearms and incitement to violence. The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) dismissed allegations of abduction and clarified that Keter was arrested by regular police officers.
However, Keter has disputed the police’s claims, asserting that the arrest was in retaliation for his vocal support of the ongoing protests in the country. He stated, “Some of us we have pronounced that we are anti the finance bill and we’ve been saying reject the finance bill and that is the position. Don’t use intimidation to try to silence us so that you perpetuate whatever you want to do with that finance bill.”
The manner of Keter’s arrest has once again raised concerns over alleged abductions being conducted by security officers during the demonstrations. According to reports, 34 people connected to the protests are still missing, with some allegedly abducted by the authorities.
1One such case is that of Kevin Cory Gadura, an activist who was abducted and later released by his kidnappers on Saturday night. Gadura’s abduction was highlighted by Citizen TV, and he has since been reunited with his family.
Keter’s release came after he was moved around the city and booked at the Kamukunji police station. The police stated that he was released pending forensic analysis of the exhibits related to the case.
The former MP’s arrest has sparked outrage among his supporters and human rights activists, who have condemned the heavy-handed tactics used by the police. They have accused the authorities of using intimidation and abduction to silence dissent and suppress the ongoing protests.
The protests in Kenya have been ongoing for several weeks, with demonstrators expressing their opposition to the government’s proposed finance bill. The bill has been a subject of controversy, with critics arguing that it will impose additional taxes and burden the already struggling citizens.
Keter, who has been a vocal critic of the government’s policies, has been a prominent figure in the protests. His arrest is seen by many as an attempt to silence his voice and deter others from joining the demonstrations.
The situation in Kenya remains tense, with the authorities continuing to crack down on the protests. The alleged abductions and heavy-handed tactics used by the police have only served to further fuel the anger and frustration of the demonstrators.
As the country grapples with this crisis, it is crucial that the government addresses the underlying issues and engages in meaningful dialogue with the protesters. Resorting to violence and suppression will only exacerbate the situation and further erode public trust in the authorities.
In the meantime, the release of Alfred Keter has been welcomed by his supporters, who see it as a small victory in the ongoing struggle for justice and accountability. However, the broader issues at the heart of the protests remain unresolved, and the future of Kenya’s political landscape remains uncertain.
