MP Peter Salasya Survives Another Police Chase During Nandi County Campaign Tour
Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has once again found himself at the center of political controversy after claiming he was pursued by police officers during a grassroots campaign tour in Nandi County on Saturday, May 31.
According to the first-term legislator, the incident occurred near the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Mosoriot, where his convoy was trailed by a government-branded Land Cruiser with sirens blaring. The MP posted a video showing the vehicle closely following his own as his entourage debated whether to stop or keep moving.
Salasya described the chase as politically motivated, accusing senior government figures of orchestrating harassment campaigns against him due to his growing national presence and unfiltered criticism of the ruling administration.
“So while Farouk [Kibet] was busy turning Malava into a circus ring, forcing grown men to dance before him like schoolchildren, I was being chased by a government Land Cruiser in Nandi County like a wanted offender. Yes, me. A leader. A citizen. In my own country,” Salasya wrote in a public statement after the incident.
Farouk Kibet is a key aide to President William Ruto and a powerful political operative in the Rift Valley region. While Salasya stopped short of directly accusing Kibet of ordering the chase, his reference implied deep political undertones behind the pursuit.
Accusations of Intimidation
In his statement, Salasya questioned the rationale behind deploying state resources to follow a sitting MP conducting lawful political engagement. He criticized the government for “wasting taxpayers’ money” on what he called an “operation to chase shadows.”
“What nonsense is this? What fear is eating you up? Just because someone moves around, talks to people, and listens to wananchi, you panic like a robber caught in daylight?” the MP posed.
Salasya suggested that the incident is part of a broader pattern of political intimidation meant to stifle dissent ahead of the 2027 general election. Despite the encounter, he vowed to continue his tours across the country, asserting that his rights as a citizen and leader would not be infringed.
“I will return to Nandi County. I will go to Uasin Gishu. I will walk freely across this republic because Kenya is not a private estate. I don’t need permission to be a Kenyan.”
“You can chase me with Land Cruisers, but you cannot outrun the truth. And in 2027, no Land Cruiser will carry you back into office.”
Recurring Run-Ins With Authorities
This marks the latest in a series of confrontations between the outspoken MP and law enforcement. Just weeks prior, Salasya was arrested and arraigned over what he described as “trumped-up charges” related to the publication of false content on social media. He maintains that the arrest was politically motivated and aimed at silencing his voice.
Saturday’s incident adds to growing concerns among opposition politicians and civil society groups regarding the increasing use of state machinery to stifle political expression and mobilization outside of the ruling party’s inner circle.
Although there has been no official comment from the police or the Interior Ministry regarding the Nandi County incident, Salasya’s claims have sparked fresh debate online, with many questioning the role of law enforcement in political affairs.
A Brewing Political Storm
As Kenya inches closer to another election cycle, the country is witnessing early signs of heightened political activity, particularly from youthful and outspoken leaders like Salasya. His style—characterized by direct engagement, strong language, and fearless criticism—has resonated with many young voters, especially in regions frustrated by economic stagnation and lack of inclusion.
However, with that popularity has come scrutiny, backlash, and, if Salasya’s accounts are accurate, sustained political resistance.
The incident in Nandi County is now likely to intensify conversations around political tolerance, freedom of movement, and the impartiality of state security forces—a conversation that, Salasya insists, he will not shy away from.
“I am not just an MP for Mumias East. I am a Kenyan. And I will speak my mind anywhere on this soil.”
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MP Peter Salasya Survives Another Police Chase During Nandi County Campaign Tour