Korogocho MCA Absalom Odhiambo was Monday arrested by police as he waited to talk to National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) officials.
Police pursued him to NCIC offices in Upper Hill where they picked him up for grilling.
He was wanted over claims of incitement. This is in relation to last week’s rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nairobi.
It is not clear what exactly he is needed for. Sources said he was taken to DCI headquarters for grilling ahead of planned prosecution.
The move by police to arrive at NCIC in undercover cars sparked protests online with many saying it was a show of return for police impunity.
Thousands of people attended the rally where Azimio leaders addressed to protest political injustices and in particular the concluded polls.
They said the polls were rigged.
NCIC summoned Odhiambo alias Mobimba over alleged inciteful remarks made during an Azimio la Umoja One Kenya coalition party rally at the Kamukunji Grounds.
This comes after the vocal MCA, in a viral video captured at the rally, is heard criticising the Kenya Kwanza leadership while stirring up Azimio supporters in readiness for industrial action in the capital.
NCIC took issue with the ODM politician’s remarks, directing him to appear at its offices on Monday, January 30.
“Political development in the last few days is creating unnecessary tension that if not well managed can plunge the country into chaos,” stated the NCIC Chairperson Samuel Kobia.
“A case in point is the utterances by Korogocho Member of the County Assembly Absalom Odhiambo Onyango at the Azimio La Umoja Alliance rally at the Kamukunji grounds on Monday 23rd January 2022 which inter alia invoked ethnic hatred while inciting Kenyans to violence. Therefore, we have summoned Hon. Absalom Odhiambo Onyango to record a statement.”
Kobia urged political leaders to shun ethnic politics which may upset the current state of peace in the country and cause division among political groups.
“As a Commission, we applaud all Kenyans and political actors for following due processes to ensure that the country remained peaceful despite the electoral outcome,” he said.
“We call upon all leaders to stop actions and rhetoric that can trigger violence. For if unchecked violence started in one place will be repeated in another and the whole country will burn before long. In such an event, nobody wins and all of us lose.”
The commission consequently implored citizens to accord the Head of State “respect and honour,” reiterating his role as a symbol of national unity.
Elsewhere, Kilimani MCA Moses Ogeto appeared before Kilimani police for grilling.
He was later released. This is in relation to Sunday’s rally at Jacaranda grounds in Nairobi.
