Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai has been detained at Nakuru Police Station after surrendering to detectives in connection with the violent political clashes that rocked a public rally in Nakuru County on Friday.
The legislator presented himself to officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) days after the National Police Service named him as the prime suspect in the chaos that left three people nursing gunshot wounds.
Mutai had earlier been declared a wanted man after police launched a manhunt following the violence at Sirikwa Umoja Grounds in Kuresoi Sub-County.
The clashes broke out during a youth empowerment meeting attended by several political leaders.
Police had accused the MP of being linked to the unrest, saying preliminary investigations pointed to a confrontation between groups believed to be allied to him and supporters of Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika.
The incident caused panic among residents and participants, with the event ending abruptly as violence escalated.
Videos shared online showed people running for safety as rival groups engaged in fierce confrontations.
Three people were injured by gunfire during the chaos, while property worth thousands of shillings was destroyed.
A bus that had ferried tents and chairs to the venue was set ablaze by unknown individuals, while another vehicle linked to the MP was vandalised.
The latest development comes after police publicly urged Mutai to surrender and record a statement to help investigators establish what led to the shooting and destruction witnessed during the rally.
His detention now marks a major step in the ongoing investigations into the politically charged violence, which drew national attention after President William Ruto ordered security agencies to take firm action against politicians linked to goon attacks and unrest at public events.
Mutai had initially denied any involvement in the incident, insisting he was not aware of what had happened and had only seen reports circulating on social media.
With the MP now in police custody, investigators are expected to question him over the circumstances surrounding the clashes and determine whether he will face formal charges.
The case is likely to intensify political tensions in Nakuru, where rival camps have continued to trade blame over the violence and destruction that marred the empowerment meeting.