Nakuru Senator summoned over night meetings as 5 people are arrested

Senator James Mungai

NAKURU: Senator James Mungai has been accused of campaigning at night against the law.

The senator has been summoned to appear before the Naivasha sub-county security committee over a meeting he addressed on Tuesday night.

Mungai, who is seeking the county governorship as an independent candidate, condemned the police after they dispersed the crowd.

The senator was forced to speed off after an altercation with police officers. Five of his supporters were also arrested during the incident at the Naivasha bus terminus.

Mungai said the police had no right to break up his meeting. He said he had a right to address locals at any time because he was their senator.

"I was addressing my people to understand how I can help them access maize flour, which has become a major problem," said Mungai.

And yesterday, sub-county commissioner for Naivasha Isaac Masinde accused the senator of flouting the law.

"Night meetings are causing unnecessary tension and fear among residents of Naivasha and must stop," Mr Masinde said.

"The only people who normally operate at night are police officers, thugs and night runners. We are wondering why the senator is campaigning after 6pm when he knows it is illegal," said Masinde.

"We have reported the issue to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the county commissioner. No one will be allowed to conduct night campaigns here."

Masinde said it was not the first time the senator had been found breaking the law.