Embattled Kiambu MCA Julius Macharia will be a guest of the state for the next five days enjoying free sukuma wiki and githeri. Macharia, who was trending for the better part of Tuesday was arrested on Monday evening for allegedly pimping his vehicle with pictures depicting DP William Ruto as Commander in Chief.
The hypocrisy in the enforcement of the law in this country is sickening. If anything Julius Macharia is a lesser evil pic.twitter.com/8tRKOGF7Bz
— kipruto Cheruiyot⚕️🇰🇪 (@Morgancheruiyot) May 28, 2019
In an interesting turn of events, he was charged with operating an unroadworthy vehicle. According to the prosecution, the Toyota Hiace had 19 instead of 16 passenger seats, tinted windows, loose passenger seats, coloured parking lights and carrying excess passengers.
Macharia and his driver pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released on a sh 20,000 cash bail. But this was just the beginning of his troubles, in fact, the worst was yet to come.
In an interesting turn of events, the lawmaker was arrested 5 minutes after release. Reason? The DCI had filed a miscellaneous seeking the politician to be detained for five days over the illegal use of emblems.
According to DCI, there is an illegal cartel dealing in the emblems and needed time to look into the matter. The court granted the prosecution their request and just like that, Macharia found himself behind bars.
His defence lawyer has argued that the move by the DCI is aimed at settling political scores. It seems someone is hell-bent on ensuring Macharia learns a few lessons in remand.
So the Kenya Police just realized Weitethie MCA Julius Macharia has been for driving a vehicle with a portrait of DP WilliamsRuto, when the vehicle had driven around with Ruto CIC branding for two months? pic.twitter.com/klTj9X6msL
— Saddique Shaban (@SaddiqueShaban) May 28, 2019
Kenyans on social media are wondering why the MCA was arrested on Monday, yet his vehicle has been roaming around the city with these offences for the past two months.
Arresting Julius Macharia for road unworthy vehicle?? Kenya police need better jobs pic.twitter.com/RMVEkGQsG4
— Duke of Kericho (@gudkeed) May 28, 2019
Even Ruto’s biggest critics are not happy with the arrest of the MCA. It would have been easy for the police to just tell him to remove the emblems and let go.
I don't have time for DP Ruto but the arrest of Weitethie MCA Julius Macharia is in bad faith. The police can just tell him to remove the flag and the coat of arm from the vehicle. I doubt if it has anything to do with Ruto image. The guy was just trying to be patriotic.
— Hon Lee Makwiny (@leemakwiny) May 28, 2019
The drama around his arrest has just made the MCA famous ahead of 2022 elections. This could make him Juja MP.
The LUCKY Kiambu MCA, Julius Macharia Taki. The FREE PUBLICITY he has received is enough to make him MP for JUJA CONSTITUENCY in 2022 replacing Francis Munyua Waititu and his driver George Ngugi Kiarie can be 2022 MCA for Witeithie Ward replacing him. THIS IS HOW KENYA ROLLS! pic.twitter.com/7GsvucvcD5
— David Mutai (@David1Mutai) May 28, 2019