Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Roads and Transport Kipchumba Murkomen has reignited a debate on removal of ‘Kamata Kamata Fridays’.

During his tenure as Elgeyo Marakwet Senator, Murkomen stated that Parliament should amend laws to stop police officers from arresting people on Fridays and detaining them till Monday, which is commonly referred to as ‘Kamata Kamata Fridays’.

“We should come up with a legal framework that stops Friday arrests, unless you are being arrested for an offence you committed that particular day and there is the possibility that you will be committing more offences if you are left until Monday.”

Ruto’s allies victims of ‘Kamata Kamata Fridays’

At the time, a number of government officials especially those allied to the then Deputy President William Ruto became victims of this practice in what appeared to be political rivalry.

One of them was the current Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua (former Mathira Member of Parliament).

Today (Friday), the matter was reignited by a netizen who queried CS Murkomen on whether he still supports the proposal.

“Do you still believe the Gov’t should come up with a legal framework that stops Kamata Kamata Fridays, or you can explain?” the curious netizen, Gabriel Oguda, posed.

About three hours, the Transport CS responded saying, “I believe it now more than before.”

Court slams practice

In 2020, High Court judge George Odunga said the practice would take the country back to the dark ages where people were arrested on a whim without sufficient justification.

He was making a ruling in the case Agnes Kinywa v Director of Public Prosecution & another [2019] 

“The attempt to claw back at non-existent powers ought to be restricted at all costs by the courts which are the temples of justice in this country,” Justice Odunga added.

As Christmas Day approaches, Kenyans who fall victim to this practice will be arraigned on Wednesday next week.