Drama as police block MP Simon Mbugua from holding press conference

Drama unfolded on Sunday at a Nairobi hotel after police barred East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) legislator Simon Mbugua barred from holding a press conference.

Mbugua was set to address the media on a case where he is accused of robbery with violence.

The former Kamukunji MP had already paid for the venue at the Sarova Panafric Hotel, but the management would later inform him that the presser would not take place.

A visibly angry Mbugua was captured on camera outside the hotel ranting and accusing powerful forces in the Executive of blocking the press address.

“What wrong have I done? What have I done? What happpened to the freedom of expression? Arrest me. This country is slowly sliding back to the old dark days,” Mbugua said.

“Go ahead take the orders, those are orders from above he is taking,” Mbugua said as he pointed at a plainclothes police officer who walked aside to receive a phone call.

Mbugua later addressed the media at the petrol station outside the hotel where he claimed that his life was in danger and that he was being intimidated for supporting Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko.

“You can arrest me and charge me as many times as you want but you will not silence me. This is a way of intimidating me so that I can abandon my friend Sonko. I will not abandon Sonko because of one civil servant who has only been appointed,” said Mbugua, blaming Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho for his woes.

“I am a God fearing person and law abiding citizen. What did I do for me to deserve the kind of humiliation I went through as a member of parliament.”

Last week, Mbugua, alongside two others, was charged with robbery with violence after he was linked to the assault on former chairman of the Nairobi Central Business District Association Timothy Muriuki on April 30.

They denied the charges and were released on a Ksh.200,000 cash bail each.