Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka has openly criticized law enforcement's approach during an attempted arrest of Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia at Royal Media Services studios.

On Monday morning, August 3, 2026, Onyonka described the police operation as an excessive show of force that reflected growing intolerance toward dissenting voices in Kenya’s political landscape.

"Hon. Kaguchia remained inside the media premises overnight because approximately 40 police officers armed with AK-47s and multiple vehicles were stationed outside, seemingly prepared to detain him," Onyonka revealed during a local TV interview.

Calls for Respecting Due Process

While not defending Kaguchia’s alleged remarks, Onyonka urged police to follow lawful procedures when handling arrests of elected officials or any Kenyan citizens. He questioned the necessity of deploying heavily armed officers for the operation, noting that Kaguchia was neither a flight risk nor involved in violent crimes.

"He is a Member of Parliament. There is no justification for such intimidation tactics. There must be a more appropriate way to handle this," Onyonka stressed.

Appeal to Police Leadership

The senator called on the Inspector General of Police to review the circumstances surrounding the attempted arrest. He advocated for exhausting summons and other legal measures before resorting to forceful arrests.

"The IG should ensure that procedures like sending official messages or summonses are followed. If someone does not respond, then public notices can be issued before any arrest is made," Onyonka added.

MP Kaguchia’s Account

Following his appearance on a vernacular TV show on Sunday, August 2, MP John Kaguchia reported a security operation targeting him at Royal Media Services headquarters. He described the presence of hooded, masked, and heavily armed men without visible uniformed officers.

Through social media updates in the early hours of Monday, Kaguchia said police had surrounded the studios and set up roadblocks intending to arrest him. He vowed not to be intimidated by the security measures.