Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala has been released from the Mumias Police Station after spending Monday night in police custody. Malala was brought in on Monday night by DCI officers from Nairobi and a scuffle ensued as the Senator refused to be taken to one of the cells, “You have not fumigated the cell, I cannot go there,” he said.
He was also denied bail. At around 2:00 am police were forced to chase his supporters who were chanting his name at the gate. Protests took off on Tuesday morning in Mumias, as supporters called for his release, saying no Malala, no peace. They engaged police officers in running battles as they barricaded the road.
The Senator was released after the DPP opted not to press charges. He was arrested, along with other two Senators on Monday-Senator Christopher Langat and Steve Lelegwe-with Langat released after being taken to Bomet station. Senators were up in arms in the Senate, saying government officials wanted to impede the right of the Senators to take part in the Third Basis of revenue allocation vote.