KISII, Kenya Feb 15 – The funeral service of former Cabinet Minister Simeon Nyachae was underway at the Gusii Stadium Monday morning ahead of his burial.
Nyachae who died on February 1, 2021 aged 89 will be buried at his Nyosia home, at a private ceremony restricted to close family and friends.
President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga were among leaders at the burial service.
Ahead of the funeral service, Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi was arrested as he waited to receive the Deputy President whose helicopter was scheduled to land at Kisii High School.
Maangi, seen as the leader of the wing that supports Ruto in Kisii, had just arrived at school when he was picked up at 9 am by police who whisked him away to Kisii Police Station.
Ruto later landed at the stadium and headed to Gusii Stadium.
There was no immediate comment from area police on the arrest that was witnessed by reporters and officials who had gathered at the school grounds to welcome dignitaries landing there.
County Police Commander Jebel Munene could not be reached for comment as his phone remained off.
“We don’t know why they arrested him, they did not give reasons why they picked him up,” Maangi’s aide told Capital FM News.
South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro was arrested two hours later over claims he planned to disrupt the funeral service.
“I don’t know why they have arrested me, but since Maangi was also arrested your guess is as good as mine,” Osoro told reporters at Kisii Police Station.
Osoro dominated news headlines recently when he fought with Dagoreti South MP Simba Arati during the funeral of Maangi’s father in Nyamira also attended by Ruto.
The arrest of the Deputy Governor comes a day after a former ODM branch Executive Samuel Omwando was also arrested from his house in Nyanchwa.
Maangi had condemned the arrest of the former ODM operative who is a known staunch supporter of DP Ruto.
