Senator Malala to sue govt for detention over Matungu killings

Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala now says he will sue the State for illegal detention over the Matungu killings investigations.

Malala says his arrest on Friday and detention at the Kisumu Central police station was purely political and he will sue for wrongful detention.

Speaking after the DPP ordered his release alongside former Sports CS Rashid Echesa and two other politicians, Malala denied any involvement in the Matungu killings and wondered why he was being persecuted.

The Senator said police were interrogating him in connection with the murder of 18 people in Matungu yet in the OB, the offence was indicated as incitement to violence.

“What shocks me most is that I was booked for incitement to violence but I’m being investigated for murder. Surely, what interest do I have in Matungu, I don’t live there, I was last in Matungu in December last year,” wondered Malala.

“I want to sue the Inspector General and CS Matiang’i because I have been reliably told that they are the ones who advised the regional office to arrest us,” said Malala.

Speaking at the Kisumu Central Police Station, Malala accused Interior CS Fred Matiangi of mishandling the probe into the Matungu killings.

He said the deployment of GSU officers in the area will not offer any solution, but will instead subject locals to more pain.

Malala said the whole of Matungu Constituency is under staffed in terms of police deployment and that must be addressed.

The Kakamega was arrested over the weekend alongside Echesa, Matungu MP Justus Murunga and MCA Libinus Odour.

On Sunday, however, Director of Public Prosecutions Noordin Haji said investigations into the matter are incomplete and evidence so far gathered was insufficient to warrant prosecution of the four politicians.

“After discussions with the Inspector General, it is clear that investigations are at an advanced stage but incomplete. The evidence so far gathered does not meet the requisite threshold. Consequently, I have directed the DCI through the IG to have the Matungu brutal killings thoroughly investigated and the resultant files submitted to my office for perusal and directions,” said the DPP.

The four were required to report to police on Monday for interrogation.