Police have denied Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala the right to see his family and receive medical attention, his lawyer has said.
The lawyer, Charles Malala, made the complaint on Saturday following Senator Malala’s arrest over links to brutal murders in Matungu, Kakamega County.
The lawyer said that despite camping at the Kisumu police headquarters, he and others were not allowed to see the politician who was arrested on Friday evening.
He went to the headquarters by Senator Malala’s father, mother and wife.
The advocate said his client had not been attended to yet he was suffering from high blood pressure and diabetes.
“He has been denied access to his medicine and doctors. This is a very serious breach of his fundamental rights not just as a senator but also as a citizen of this country,” he said.
“Mr Malala is essentially being starved as he has not been given food or water. Our concern is whether he is safe and alive.”
According to the lawyer, the senator was booked for inciting the public to engage in violence on May 9.
But he pointed out that the violence occurred long before the date indicated in the police occurrence book.
“While we condemn the happenings that have seen a number of people lose their lives in Matungu, no one should be accused unjustifiably,” he said.
“Kenya cannot afford to slide back into the dark era of Friday afternoon arrests without any justifiable reason. This is the new constitutional era. We are entitled to certain fundamental rights and authorities should respect the Constitution. e need to be let to see him and be able prepare his defence for when he is presented in court.”
The lawmaker’s father, David Malala, expressed concern that he may be in a critical condition following his seclusion and detention.
His mother Martha said, “We feel tortured and frustrated since we cannot see our son. Why can’t he be released on cash bail?”
Senator Malala’s wife, Caroline, noted that the news shocked his young children and that they had been asking about the whereabouts of their father.
“It is unfair for someone to accuse my husband of such a grave crime without proof. This is just meant to tarnish his name.”
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