Senator Karungo accuses police of ethnic profiling after six seemingly Luo suspects are named in the Kariobangi North PCEA Church disturbance arrests

The National Police Service has confirmed the arrest of seven suspects linked to last Sunday’s disturbances at the PCEA Church in Kariobangi North, Nairobi. According to a statement from the Inspector General’s office, the individuals were apprehended in the Lucky Summer area and are being processed for arraignment.

Investigators say more arrests may follow once ongoing forensic examinations, including photographic and acoustic analysis, are completed. The suspects named in the police statement include Charles Otieno Opiyo, Wilson Okoth (alias M.C. Otieno), Michael Muthinga Kavulunze, Brian Omondi Odhiambo (alias “Bryo”), Elsgay Opiyo Otwoke, George Otieno Obeng, and Gordon Odhiambo Onyango.

The NPS has appealed to the public to cooperate with detectives by sharing any information that may shed light on the incident, urging Kenyans to use the toll-free numbers 999, 112, 0800 722 203, or the DCI WhatsApp line 0799 579 000.

However, the arrests have sparked sharp political reactions. Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa questioned the credibility of what he termed “manufactured lists,” accusing the police leadership of engaging in ethnic profiling rather than conducting professional investigations. In a statement posted on X, the senator criticised the NPS for what he called “lazy political policing,” further claiming that the move amounts to systematic targeting of certain communities.

The police, meanwhile, maintain that their actions are guided strictly by the law and reiterate their commitment to ensuring that all suspects are handled within legal procedures.