Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara did not take a plea on Friday after appearing in court over charges linked to alleged incitement, as the magistrate ruled that a decision on the legality of the case must come first.

The court granted her release on a personal bond of Sh50,000 and set July 29 as the date when it will determine whether the charges meet the legal threshold.

The charges stem from remarks Kihara allegedly made at a political event, with investigators accusing her of spreading inciteful content.

Her legal team strongly opposed the charges, saying they were politically driven and lacked substance. The prosecution objected to her release, but the court dismissed the request.

Kihara had been arrested a day earlier in a dramatic operation livestreamed on her Facebook page. Officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), backed by local police, raided her home in Maraigushu, Naivasha, and took her into custody.

She was later taken to Naivasha Police Station, where she was briefly held. Police indicated she was to be transferred to DCI headquarters in Nairobi for further questioning.

In her posts and public remarks, Kihara maintained she was unaware of the issue under investigation.

“They say they believe I have information that can help them. I can’t do that,” she said. She had also posted, “Dozens of police officers are currently at my Maraigushu home to arrest me.”

Her arrest came shortly after she held a meeting with sand harvesters in Mai Mahiu and days after she failed to honour DCI summons.

In a letter signed by senior officer George Lenny Kisaka, the DCI had directed her to appear at their Kiambu Road offices on Monday, July 14, at 10:30 am., over what was described as “inciteful or disruptive content” shared on social media.

In response, Kihara accused the State of using the justice system to silence critics.

“The days of intimidating leaders using the criminal justice system are long gone. Summoning me to DCI headquarters tomorrow will not change Kenyans’ resolve, because this is not about Jayne Kihara but about our country, Kenya,” she wrote on Facebook.

She has previously accused the government of punishing leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In May, she claimed her security was withdrawn without explanation and said she felt “vulnerable and naked.”

She warned that should anything happen to her, the blame would lie with the Head of State.

Her arrest drew condemnation from Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who said, “This is clear political persecution. We will get Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara out!”