{
  "id": 1692982,
  "title": "High Court blocks DCI from arresting Governor Badilisha after weeks of attempts",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/high-court-blocks-dci-from-arresting-governor-badilisha-after-weeks",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T10:35:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Capital FM Kenya",
    "slug": "capital-fm-kenya",
    "url": "https://capitalfm.africa/high-court-blocks-dci-from-arresting-governor-badilisha-after-weeks-of-attempts/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "NAIROBI, Kenya - The High Court has prevented the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and other officials from arresting or detaining Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, who is currently under investigation by both the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) and the DCI. On August 18, Justice C.W. Githua heard Badilisha's plea for protection and granted him anticipatory bail. The court deemed the application urgent, and plans to serve the court order on the respondents within seven days. A mention for further direction has been set for September 3, 2026. Until then, the DCI and the National Police Service are barred from arresting or detaining Badilisha at any police station. This development follows weeks of reported attempts to arrest the governor and shortly after his switch from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). The defection was announced alongside the entire Nyandarua County Assembly leadership, with DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua praising the move as a boost for the party ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua described the defection as part of a \"national liberation movement\" and assured the governor and MCAs of the party's commitment to free and fair primaries for the upcoming elections.",
  "summary": "The court certified his application as urgent and directed that it be served on the respondents, who have been given seven days to file and serve their responses.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 6,
    "also_reported_by": [
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        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/ex-jkr-officer-tells-high-court-muhyiddin-made-no-calls-to-help",
        "published": "2026-08-17T08:18:22.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Madras High Court confirms conviction of former DMK Minister Pulavar Senguttuvan’s kin in disproportionate assets case",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/madras-high-court-confirms-conviction-of-former-dmk-minister-pulavar",
        "published": "2026-08-17T09:44:44.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Vibes",
        "title": "Nepturis received RM16.4m for Klang Utara police headquarters, court told",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/nepturis-received-rm16-4m-for-klang-utara-police-headquarters-court",
        "published": "2026-08-17T10:25:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express",
        "title": "Abhishek Banerjee moves High Court as frozen bank accounts threaten eye treatment abroad",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/abhishek-banerjee-moves-high-court-as-frozen-bank-accounts-threaten",
        "published": "2026-08-17T10:48:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Starr FM",
        "title": "High Court suspends Adu-Boahene trial to await Supreme Court’s decision on injunction against trials",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/high-court-suspends-adu-boahene-trial-to-await-supreme-courts",
        "published": "2026-08-17T12:11:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}