24.5 C
Kenya
Wednesday, July 9, 2025

Isiolo Speaker Mohammed Roba Arrested on Attempted Murder Charge, Claims Political Witch-Hunt

Isiolo County Assembly Speaker Mohammed Roba has claimed political persecution after his dramatic arrest in Machakos over an alleged attempted murder. Roba was taken into custody by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in the early hours of Tuesday, amid growing political tension surrounding an impeachment motion against Isiolo Governor Abdi Guyo.

Roba was apprehended at a hotel in Machakos where he had been staying with several Members of the County Assembly (MCAs). According to sources, DCI officers first stormed the premises at around 1:00 a.m., disarmed him, and later returned in the morning to effect the arrest. He was detained at the Machakos DCI office and recorded a statement under the supervision of lead investigator Nzioka Singi.

He was later released on police bail of Ksh.100,000 and is expected to report back to the DCI as investigations continue. Details of the attempted murder allegations remain unclear, and authorities have not publicly disclosed the identity of the alleged victim or the circumstances surrounding the charge.

Speaking shortly after his release, Roba dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated attempt to block him from presiding over a crucial County Assembly sitting scheduled for Thursday, where the impeachment motion against Governor Guyo was to be debated.

“This is a tactic to ensure I’m not available to oversee the proceedings,” Roba said, claiming he was never informed of the specifics of the charge against him. He was accompanied by his legal team during the bail process at Machakos Police Station.

The arrest follows a High Court order issued on June 16 by Justice Heston Nyaga, which temporarily halted the impeachment proceedings. The court barred the County Assembly from admitting, debating, or processing the motion filed on June 10 by Sericho MCA Abubakar Godana, citing the need for due process. The motion accuses Governor Guyo of presiding over stalled projects and failing to meet county revenue targets.

Despite the court order, all 18 MCAs had backed the motion and relocated first to Nakuru and later to Machakos, reportedly for safety and to avoid interference as they pursued the impeachment.

As the standoff continues, Roba’s arrest has added a new layer of complexity to an already volatile political landscape in Isiolo County, with observers warning of potential constitutional and legal crises ahead.

Written By Rodney Mbua

Latest news
Related news