Kenyan police arrest opposition member who played key role in Odinga’s mock inauguration

Security operatives in Kenya have arrested opposition member Miguna Miguna for playing a key role in the mock inauguration of Raila Odinga which was described by the government as a “well-choreographed attempt to subvert or overthrow” it.

Reports say the lawyer who stood beside Odinga at Tuesday’s symbolic “swearing in” was arrested and detained following a dawn raid on his Nairobi home by security operatives loyal to President Uhuru Kenyatta.

The arrest of Miguna which was affected after police used explosives to blast open his door before leading him away, comes two days after police detained TJ Kajwang, a politician who also attended the mock swearing-in.

Read also: KENYA: High Court suspends shutdown of 3 independent TV stations

Recall on Thursday that Miguna had taunted police, telling them he had signed Mr Odinga’s oath and so they should come and arrest him. He also told his supporters to burn pictures of Kenya’s president, Kenyatta.

Meanwhile, the suspension of three independent TV stations in Kenya namely; Citizen, NTV and KTN TV for attempting to broadcast the mock inauguration of Odinga has been suspended by a High Court.

According to NTV, a 14-day suspension of the government’s shutdown has been ordered by the High Court, while a legal challenge can be heard.

“Government expected to restore NTV, Citizen TV & KTN News signals after High Court suspends switch off for 14 days pending case being heard,” the station wrote on Twitter.

The shutdown came amid heightened tension in Kenya this week after supporters of Odinga staged a mock inauguration declaring the opposition leader as president.

 

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