Civil society members arrested

Mars Group Kenya CEO, Mwalimu Mati and other Civil Society leaders Cyprian Nyamwamu, Anne Njogu, Okoiti Omtatah were yesterday arrested and are reported to held at the Central Police Station.

The Civil Society leaders were arrested as they demonstrated against the proposed theft of Kshs 1.4 Billion by Parliament of tax payer’s money by way of gratuities. They were arrested as they exercised their constitutional rights under s.79 of the Constitution of Kenya. (CHAPTER V - PROTECTION OF FUNDAMENTAL RIGHTS AND FREEDOMS OF THE INDIVIDUAL section 79. Protection of freedom of expression)

Mars Group Kenya has strongly objected this arrest and continued detention of the leaders. In a Press Statement, the Group says; The proposed gratuities represent a blatantly corrupt act by Members of Parliament. In seeking to pay themselves unwarranted gratuities the 222 MPs aim to use Public funds for undeserved personal gain. Among the beneficiaries of this intended fraudulent and unconstitutional abuse of office are the President and his cabinet and the Leader of the Official Opposition.