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Why NMG writer Walter Menya was arrested

Sunday June 18 2017
MenyaPix

Mr Walter Menya. FILE | NATION MEDIA GROUP

A Sunday Nation writer Walter Menya has been arrested over a story implicating Kenya's civil servants actively involved in Friends of Jubilee Foundation published in Sunday edition.

President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto are the Jubilee flag bearer and running mate respectively for the August 8 election.

Mr Menya, in an article published Sunday, reported that three top public officers were among the registered officials of a Jubilee campaign lobby that describes itself as a public service organisation despite questions being raised on their role.

Corporate world

"In recent weeks, the Opposition, the Commission on Administrative Justice and the Law Society of Kenya have sounded warnings against government employees being involved in partisan politics," he reported.

The Friends of Jubilee Foundation also includes the who’s who in the corporate world who were all supporting the re-election of President Kenyatta and Mr Ruto.

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The Nation Media Group (NMG) has expressed fears over Mr Menya's safety as he was recently discharged from hospital.

"There are fears for the safety of Nation reporter Walter Menya who was arrested earlier today and is being held by police incommunicado.

Alleged story

"Walter, who was recently discharged from hospital, does not have his medication in custody," said the Executive Editor Mr Mutuma Mathiu.

But in a statement, the Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinnet, claimed that the writer was arrested while soliciting for a bribe.

"He has been demanding for money severally to kill the alleged story. At different times he has received a total of Sh35,000 ($338) through M-pesa (mobile telephone transfer) and today he was arrested receiving Sh20,000 ($193)," said Mr Boinnet.

According to him, the reporter will appear in court on Monday.

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