Naivasha residents protest arrest of chief on drug peddling allegations

There was drama in Naivasha on Monday after irate area residents stormed the police station to protest the arrest of an assistant chief for allegedly peddling bhang.

The residents who were joined by area MP John Kihagi of Maraigushu accused the police of stage-managing the arrest to antagonize the chief identified as Peter Irungu. They also accused nominated Senator Ben Njoroge who has reportedly fallen out with the chief of his arrest.

Trouble started after the police raided the sub-chief’s house on Monday morning and allegedly recovered fifteen rolls of bhang before arresting him.

The move angered area residents who marched to the police station pointing an accusing finger at the controversial senator who also hails from the area.

Naivasha sub-county commissioner Isaac Masinde had to intervene to cool tempers before ordering that the arrested government officer be released on free bond.

Addressing the farmers, Masinde said that an inquiry file had been opened following allegations that the sub-chief was found in possession of the banned substance, adding that anyone found to have lied in the case be it the chief or the arresting officer would face the full wrath of the law.

“The sub-chief has been released on a free bond and an inquiry file has been opened so that the case can be fully investigated,” he said.

Irungu, the sub-chief, told Citizen Digital that he feels like his life is in danger, adding that some senior politicians whom he had fallen out with were keen to eliminate him.

“I want to state openly that some people want to eliminate me for their own selfish interest and I ask for government protection,” he said.