In the space of breaking news, reports of the arrest of high-profile personalities are a source of public interest.
While some arrests are dramatic in that they play out with the full glare of the cameras, others are low key and the media informed after the fact.
While most of the suspects in this list are not seen to be frogmarched as a suspect of a petty crime would, they do face the humiliation of having been caught on the wrong side of the law.
Here’s a rundown of 10 high-profile arrests that grabbed the headlines in 2019.
1. Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro
Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro on Monday, September 9, spent the night in police custody after he was arrested at the Saint James Cathedral Church in Murang’a.
Nyoro became a person of interest after a confrontation between him and nominated MP Maina Kamanda ensued during a church service.
He was able to evade arrest after officers raided Royal Media Services (RMS) offices in Kilimani with the aim of apprehending him after an interview he was undertaking with the broadcaster’s sister station, Inooro TV.
After the dramatic escape, he was arrested and taken to Murang’a Police Station and was arraigned in court on Tuesday, September 10.
2. Sarah Cohen
Sarah Wairimu Cohen became the main suspect in the murder of her husband Tob Cohen, whose body was discovered in a septic tank at their Kitisuru home.
Cohen was reported missing from their Lower Kabete home in Nairobi between July 19 and July 20, 2019.
Cohen was arrested by the DCI and arraigned in court over the murder of her husband.
She was represented by the former director of public prosecutions Philip Murgor.
3. Former CS Henry Rotich
Arguably the highest-profile arrest in, the detaining of Treasury CS Henry Rotich and his Principal Secretary Kamau Thugge, featured on international headlines.
Their arrest came over the Arror and Kimwarer dams scandal where they grilled over the payment of Ksh20 billion to an Italian firm, CMC di Ravenna, for the construction of the two dams.
On November 7, the two together with 26 other government officials were charged afresh after the Director of Public Prosecution Noordin Haji, consolidated the charges from the two dams and amended the charge sheet.
The treasury docket was taken over by Labour and Social Protection Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani in an acting capacity.
4. Wahu
Celebrated gospel musician Wahu Kagwi found herself on the wrong side of the law while driving on Thursday, November 21.
The mother of two was apprehended at Ring Road in Kileleshwa while driving a Mercedes Benz 440L without a valid driver’s license, the court heard.
She was taken into custody and charged with dangerous overtaking, driving without a valid driver’s license and causing obstruction.
She denied all the charges during her arraignment at the Milimani Law Courts and was released on a cash bail of Ksh15,000 by Senior Resident Magistrate Elector Riani.
5. Governor Ferdinand Waititu
Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu has had several brushes with the law throughout the year.
On 23 May 2019, EACC detectives arrested the governor after conducting coordinated raids on his homes.
After the raid on his Runda residence, the county head was bundled into the EACC van and taken to Integrity Centre for questioning.
Later in July, he was arrested for the second time after a two-day manhunt.
Waititu’s wife, Susan Wangari, was also arrested after DPP Haji orders implicated her in the alleged irregular tender award.
Since the corruption allegations were raised on his leadership, he has had to fight his deputy James Nyoro over the control of the county.
6. Precious Talent School Owner
On Monday, September 23, a classroom full of pupils collapsed at Precious Talent School along Ngong Road in Nairobi.
The incident left eight pupils dead. The proprietor of the school, Moses Wainaina, was arrested on Thursday, September 26 in Nairobi.
He was detained at Kabete Police Station and later arraigned in court.
7. Joe Mwangi
Wendy Waeni’s former manager Joseph Mwangi was arrested on Monday, September 2.
The manager’s woes began the moment Wendy accused him of exploiting her talents for selfish reasons, during an interview on Jeff Koinange’s live show.
Wendy further claimed that the Mwangi never gave her mum a single penny despite her numerous performances.
8. Starehe MP Jaguar
On June 26, 2019, remarks which were termed as xenophobic got Starehe MP, Charles Kanyi, alias Jaguar, in trouble.
The youthful legislator had threatened to gather a team of youth and round up all the foreigners operating in the city, beat them up then escort them to the airport for deportation.
The first-time legislator was picked up outside the parliament buildings after failing to show up at a police station earlier in the day.
He changed his tune following his arrest where he stated that his sentiments had been misinterpreted.
“I mean peace for the country and businesses should go on uninterrupted and all foreigners are welcome to our country,” he stated.
9. Rashid Echesa
On May 17, 2019, former Sports Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa was apprehended over the reported killings in Matungu, Kakamega County.
Also nabbed was Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala while dining in a hotel in Kisumu County.
The former CS was taken to Kakamega Police station for questioning while Malala was detained at Kisumu Central Police Station.
10. Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko
Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko was on Friday, December 6, arrested in Voi after the DPP ordered his arrest over allegations of misappropriating over Ksh357 million together with other county officials.
His arrest was dramatic as he was ambushed along the Mombasa highway at a roadblock. He was transported in a helicopter that was sent from the DCI headquarters along Kiambu road.
Other notable personalities who have been guests of the State include former Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero, former NLC chairman Muhammad Swazuri, former Garson Mungatana, Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala, Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria, Nandi County Governor Stephen Sang and Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei.
