Police say Natembeya stage-managed chaotic gunfire rally

Police in Bungoma County are investigating an incident where gunshots were fired in the air during a political rally organised by Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya in Chwele, Kabuchai Constituency.

During the incident, which disrupted the rally, Natembeya can be seen addressing a crowd while standing atop a vehicle before gunshots began to ring out.

His supporters scrambled for safety as one of his security guards moved in to protect him. 

But while Natembeya and his allies believe the disruption was part of an ongoing effort by the government to scuttle their campaigns, security agencies claim the incident was a bluff. 

Speaking to The Standard during a phone interview, Western Regional Police Commander Issa Mohamud claimed preliminary investigations indicated that the incident could have been a stage-managed.

"We are treating this as an incident that may have been stage-managed. We are investigating the matter to establish what happened," said Mohamud.

He added, "There were no injuries, no retaliatory attack, and to make it more suspicious, no one has come to report the matter to the police and and as per my recordings, the matter has not been reported anywhere."

The police boss said that after the incident, Natembeya and his entourage proceeded to the next rally like nothing serious had happened.

"How is it possible for such a thing to happen, and you just proceed on as if nothing has happened. Some of the actions that our leaders do are provocative, but as police officers, we are going to be firm on any case of political hooliganism," said Mohamud.

He added, "It is our police officers who went to cool things on the ground, and they did not see the alleged goons."

Mohamud said on Monday security agencies will hold a meeting on the preparedness of the by-elections in the region.

"On Monday, we will have a security meeting and thereafter brief the media on the preparedness of this by-election. We are going to be firm with any politicians trying to advance and fuel hooliganism and chaos. We want a peaceful region before, during and after the election," he said.

Governor Natembeya on his social media accounts said the Saturday rally at Namakhele village was abruptly halted after unknown individuals allegedly stormed the event, firing bullets and lobbing tear gas canisters.

Natembeya, who was in the constituency for the final stretch of campaigns for independent candidate Erick Wekesa, had been received by area MP Majimbo Kalasinga and former Bungoma Governor Wycliffe Wangamati.

Natembeya’s vehicles were also attacked and destroyed, with alleged goons smashing his vehicles' screens.

The governor likened the incident to another attack in June, during which his convoy, accompanied by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other United Opposition leaders, was stoned in Chewele, leaving a Trans Nzoia MCA injured.

This time, Natembeya directly blamed National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, claiming violence has become common only in the Speaker’s home region.

“It is a big shame. I have held meetings across the country, and nowhere else has there been violence, only here. Tell Wetang’ula, shame on you,” he said.

Natembeya accused the Speaker of failing to uphold the law despite his position at the helm of Parliament.

 “You preside over the National Assembly where laws are made. You should be the custodian of the Constitution. You should be defending the law and allowing people to assemble,” he added.

MP Majimbo, once a right-hand man of Wetang’ula, has fallen out with his FORD-Kenya party leader, and he is backing Wekesa, an independent candidate, contrary to the position of the party, which is supporting Ken Maunda.

The move has created a political enmity between Wetang’ula and Kalasinga.

To make the relationship of the two worse, Natembeya is backing Wekesa, who is being fronted by MP Majimbo.

Two weeks ago, MP Majimbo's hotel was destroyed in what he describes as politically motivated attacks, linking the chaos to Ford-Kenya supporters.

He claimed the same group had vandalised his property.

He said that when Wetang’ula returned to the constituency from Nairobi, he expected the Speaker to condemn the violence or apologise, but instead the hostility intensified.

In Malava Constituency, Kakamega County, DAP-K candidate Seth Panyako has accused the state of planning to import goons to disrupt the by-election and rig in favour of UDA candidate David Ndakwa.

"We have information that the government is importing goons from Nairobi to come and intimidate my supporters, steal their IDs and tamper with the election, but we are going to remain firm and we will protect our votes and victory," said Panyako.

Elsewhere in Kisa East ward by-election in Khwisero Constituency, Kakamega County, police are investigating an assault case where a resident was injured and lost six teeth during a political rally by Governor Natembeya two weeks ago.

However, on Friday, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi denied any claims by opponents that the government is using state machinery to intimidate competitors.

"This election is a democratic process and the government is going to ensure peace prevails, and we want to assure Malava and other people of their safety, and therefore we should conduct peaceful campaigns and let the people decide," said Mudavadi.

The Chwele/Kabuchai and Malava by-elections in Bungoma and Kakamega counties in recent weeks have been overshadowed by rising political tension, with rival camps trading accusations as the campaigns enter their final days.