Political commentator and journalist Samuel Okemwa was arrested on Monday, July 20, in Dodoma, Tanzania has been released.
Okemwa was arrested by Tanzanian police officers stationed at the border point and had his passport confiscated after a dramatic confrontation.
While details of what triggered the arrest remained unclear, a viral video showed Okemwa demanding to know what he had done wrong.
But according ODM’s communication director Philip Etale, he has been released although Tanzanian authorities are yet to release his phone and equipment.
“Contrary to initial reports circulating on social media that Mr. Samuel Okemwa was arrested by Tanzanian authorities at the Namanga border, the truth is our friend was arrested in Dodoma as he prepared to hold an interview renowned Tanzanian gospel artist Rose Muhando. The arresting officers confiscated his phones and equipment. After intervention, he was later released. I have spoken to his wife, who is my niece and she has assured me that our brother is safe although his gadgets have not been released to him,” noted Mr Etale on his Facebook page.
Okemwa has a large following on Facebook where he interviews various guests including entertainers, bloggers and leaders on his show dubbed The Samuel Okemwa show.
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His followers called for Kenyan authorities to intervene to secure his relaese claiming he was innocent.
Okemwa became known to many in the run-up to the 2017 election when he earned a reputation as a die-hard supporter of the National Super Alliance (NASA) and its leader Raila Odinga.
He published widely circulated videos slamming President Uhuru Kenyatta, his Deputy William Ruto and the Jubilee Party. Okemwa was also involved in political mobilisation in Kisii County where he hails from.
More recently, Okemwa has focused on online content which includes shows targeting the Kisii community through interviews of vernacular artists and influential local figures.
