by Renson Mnyamwezi
Education Assistant Minister Calist Mwatela stormed Wundanyi Police Station to protest "arbitrary arrest" of a secondary school girl and her parents in connection with a timber scandal involving an assistant chief in Mwatate District.
It was reported the family was beaten up and seriously injured by police and the assistant chief before they were locked up at Mgange Police Station.
The 16-year-old Mwakiwiwi Secondary School student and her mother were allegedly forced to walk in the cold while naked, from their home to the station seven kilometres away.
Also arrested was the coulple’s four-year-old daughter Clemencia Nyambura.
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Immediate release
The incident has sparked public outrage and condemnation forcing the minister to intervene.
Mr Mwatela demanded immediate release of the couple and their daughters saying their arrest was unjustified. The four were arrested at their home in Murugua sub-location in Bura Location.
Mwatela, who is also Mwatate MP, termed the arrest illegal noting it had something to do with differences between the assistant chief and the father of the family. He said the family was arrested for allegedly exposing a timber scandal involving the assistant chief and some village elders.
"The chief was exposed for cutting and selling trees and that’s why he’s bitter with the family," said Mwatela.
