By Phil Etale
Dear friends, today last week, I was arrested from my hotel room in Malindi on accusations that to-date I do not know about. I was told I was in possession of election material which after a thorough search of room by the arresting officers, nothing was found.
Another search was carried out in the car that I had been using in Malindi, but again, nothing was found. I felt so intimidated, harassed, humiliated and more-so offended. My phone was taken away from me and warned not to TALK or CALL anyone. I was driven 65 KMs away from Malindi in a police land cruiser with heavily armed Police Officers.
I was locked up in the police cell, again, not knowing why all this was happening. Was hurriedly taken to Court moments after the cops lied to my Lawyer Sen. James Orengo and his colleagues Sen. Johnstone Muthama, Ababu Namwamba (SG) and Millie Mabona that all was well and that I would be released in a moment. They took their (police) word as an article of truth and left for Malindi to guard Willy Mtengo’s votes.
I was to be hurriedly charged and locked up for 5 days, ostensibly to allow the investigating team more time to carry out investigations and without defence, the team was to be granted the application to detain me. Luckily, a God sent lawyer happened to pass-by and I grabbed him and explained to him my predicament.
Together with my colleagues Charles Mark Dienya, Paul Adede, Phelix G-cord and Knight Medza, we managed to secure the services of the lawyer who objected to the application and managed to secure my liberty on cash bail of Ksh. 30,000.
Tomorrow, I head back to the same court, again, not knowing why I am being subjected to this kind of torture. I have never been crafty (they picked on a wrong person), I have never stolen (they offended me)… Please pray for me friends.
