Manyatta Member of Parliament Gitonga Mukunji was on Monday arrested in connection with the unrest that broke out across parts of Embu County during the Saba Saba commemorations. His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, confirmed that the legislator was taken into custody at around 3 pm and booked at Kibii Police Station by 3:53 pm.

Shortly after being booked under Occurrence Book number 06/07/07/2025, the MP was picked up by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations based at Juja Police Station.

Njiru stated that Mukunji was briefly held “for the exclusive purpose of holding him” before being moved to an unknown location.

“The police boss also indicated that Mukunji is likely to face charges of incitement to violence,” Njiru added, though no further details were provided. The MP’s vehicle remained parked at Kibii Police Station as of Monday evening, and his wife was among those trying to trace his whereabouts.

In an official statement released later in the day, the National Police Service confirmed the arrest. “A number of suspects have been arrested, including Gitonga Mukunji, MP for Manyatta Constituency,” the statement read.

The MP’s arrest comes after protests turned chaotic in several towns during the Saba Saba events.

In Embu, police were deployed to contain the situation as tensions flared. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said the demonstrations, which spread across the country, led to the deaths of at least 10 people.

In a statement issued Monday evening, the commission said there were also 29 injuries, 2 cases of abduction, and 37 arrests recorded during the protests. It added that shooting incidents had been reported in Ngong, Thika, Juja, Embu, Kangemi, Dagoretti, and other areas.

The commission also observed that extensive police barricades were erected across major highways and entry points, particularly in Nairobi, severely limiting the movement of people.

“Additional blockades were reported in Kiambu, Meru, Kisii, Nyeri, Nakuru and Embu,” the statement added.

It noted that the heavy security presence and road closures prevented many Kenyans from reporting to work despite a directive from Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku instructing all government workers to report as usual. “Many citizens were unable to report to work,” the commission said.

The unrest also forced the closure of numerous businesses across the country amid fears of looting and property destruction. Looting incidents were reported in six counties, and the Kerugoya Central CDF office was set ablaze by unknown individuals.

Learning was also disrupted, with most schools and educational institutions across the country remaining closed on Monday.