Former Machakos Senator Johnstone Muthama and Belgut MP Nelson Koech were yesterday released on a Sh30,000 cash bail after spending a night in police cells.

The two, were arrested at  Jomo Kenyatta polling station after being accused of bribery during Tuesday’s  chaotic Msambweni by-election, were released at Diani Police Station..

Police accused them of bribing the electorate to vote in favour of one of the independent candidates.

They had been locked up overnight at the Port Police Station in neighbouring Mombasa County.

Speaking to journalists after their release, Koech trashed the voter bribery accusations, saying they were arrested to ensure they did not camp at the polling centre to protect their candidate’s votes.

“You know we had a good strategy of having three MPs at each of the 60 polling centres to guard our votes, and because the police were supporting  an  opponent, they arrested us in order to enable the Orange party to take control of the polling station,” he claimed.

He lauded the Tanga Tanga team, which was backing Feisal Bader for remaining steadfast.

Muthama, on the other hand,  claimed their arrest was a calculated move to enable ODM to steal the election.

He further accused the police of arraigning them at the Kwale law courts without a charge sheet.

“The police ended up being ordered to take us to where we had been arrested so that we could clear with the officers,” he stated, adding: “We wonder why Mombasa Governor Ali Hassan Joho was moving freely with his goons in Msambweni polling stations and none of the officers asked him anything unlike us who were being followed everywhere.” 

Muthama told police officers to exercise impartiality while executing their duties. “Police  must not work by being influenced. They are an independent body, and, therefore, must have proper accusations and conduct thorough investigations before arresting someone,” he continued.

Muthama said the Msambweni by-election results had taught some politicians  a lesson that they must have respect for their colleagues.

“Did you see Deputy President William Ruto here for campaigns? He never came but we delivered yet the ODM party leader and his deputy party leader camped in this area for over two months yet we whipped them very well,” he bragged.

He also said that what had transpired in Msambweni is a clear indication that Kenyan politics will totally change come 2022.

“Kenyans are no longer in love with party politics. They want to elect someone on the basis of character and personality.”