Kang'ata driver shot at Linda Mwananchi rally as political violence escalates

Tensions escalated in Nyahururu town yesterday when hired goons disrupted a rally organised by a faction of the Linda Mwananchi Movement, heightening tensions in the area amid high-stakes politics surrounding the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

A driver to Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata was reportedly shot in the chest, and he is admitted to a local hospital.

Kang’ata said the goons allegedly commandeered his vehicle after stoning it and smashing the rear window.

“We were attacked by goons and people wearing what resembled police uniforms. My driver was shot in the chest, and he is currently undergoing surgery,” he said.

The movement had relocated its rally to Nyahururu town after alleging state-sponsored plots and violence in surrounding areas.

However, the rally in Nyahururu town was abruptly ended in chaos when suspected goons stormed the venue, forcing the leaders to flee.

Earlier, goons attacked the AIPCA church where the leaders, including Murang’a Governor Kang’ata, Senators Godfrey Osotsi (Vihiga), Richard Onyonka (Kisii), MPs Antony Kibagendi, and Caroli Omondi, were attending a Sunday service.

Omondi said the driver, identified only as Gitari, was shot in the chest, and doctors said he had a bullet lodged in his chest.

“The doctors are trying to ascertain whether it is a rubber bullet or live ammunition. Even the governor was injured,” he said.

Kang’ata said his driver is completely immobilised and is receiving treatment at a local hospital.

“My car was stoned and briefly taken over by the goons. We are not going to be intimidated and cowed by the goons. We will soldier on to fight for the rights of Kenyans,” he said.

Senator Osotsi said two people were injured during the attack, calling on the Inspector General of Police to declare that he is unable to protect Kenyans.

“What is it that President Ruto fears about Linda Mwanachi? If Ruto has worked for Kenyans, what is he fearing about us? Ruto has panicked, and he knows that in 2027 he will go home.” He said.

Police in Nyandarua could not respond to our inquiries about the incident.

Senior officers in Nyahururu and Ol Kalou did not receive our calls or respond to text messages.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua failed to attend the Sunday service in Ol Kalou due to the escalation of violence.

Speaking after attending a church service at St Lwanga Catholic Church in Mirangine, Nyandarua Senator John Methu said that campaigns were concluding and that candidates were ready to await polling day.

Methu claimed his party had received intelligence suggesting rivals were planning to disrupt peace during the election and urged security agencies to remain vigilant.

He called on the Inspector General of Police to ensure security personnel deployed to the constituency serve all parties impartially.

Methu also questioned the heavy deployment of officers in the area, saying those assigned to maintain order should be in uniform and display their service numbers for easy identification.

The senator continued to campaign for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate, Sammy Waweru, and urged the IEBC to remain independent.

He accused the commission of attempting to intimidate and curtail the party's activities, adding that residents were prepared to raise the Sh1.5 million fine imposed on Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia.

"On behalf of the party, the Ol Kalou MP will be elected by the people of Ol Kalou. Others have no business here unless they are IEBC officials or security personnel," Methu said.

Muhia said Nyandarua County had been marginalised for years despite remaining peaceful.

She dismissed remarks by IEBC Chairperson Erastus Ethekon suggesting the by-election could be postponed in the event of violence, insisting there would be no insecurity during the exercise.

Muhia said she had continued campaigning freely despite the withdrawal of her security detail.

"I would have been attacked if there was going to be violence, but even without security, I have been moving around peacefully day and night. Nyandarua is a peaceful county and, as the DCP, we have conducted our campaigns peacefully," she said.

She said the party was fully prepared for the election and reiterated that only registered Ol Kalou voters would determine the constituency's next MP.

"To the IEBC, I reiterate my statement that only Ol Kalou voters shall elect their MP. I am surprised that what I am saying should instead be coming from the IEBC, yet we have seen leaders from other areas flocking to Ol Kalou and announcing they will bring people here," she said.

Muhia further accused the electoral commission of applying selective justice by summoning her while allegedly ignoring other leaders.

She said she would pay the Sh1.5 million fine imposed on her and had already begun mobilising contributions from supporters.

"The support we have received in raising these funds demonstrates that residents stand with my statement," she said.

Muhia also called on President William Ruto to ensure peace prevails across the country and urged the government to stop deploying plain-clothes security officers whom she claimed were intimidating residents.

"The people of Nyandarua should be allowed to exercise their democratic right and elect their leader without intimidation," she said.

Elsewhere, Nyandarua Woman MP Faith Gitau and her Saboti counterpart Caleb Amisi called on residents to maintain peace.

They both acknowledged confidence in the IEBC and that residents had nothing to fear.

While speaking at the Full Gospel church in Ol Kalou, Ms Gitau condemned the recent cases of violence, calling on the relevant authorities to take charge.

"We have conducted peaceful campaigns, and this should not interrupt the by -election. We want our people to remain peaceful. Once they vote, they should go back home and wait for the results," she said.

Speaking at Deliverance Church, Amisi also called on residents to remain calm.

He condemned the recent violence, calling on the people of Ol Kalou to maintain peace.

Amisi is backing the People's Renaissance Party candidate Timothy Kariuki.

Deliverance Ol Kalou Church pastor Benjamin Otieno also urged his faithful to respect all equally during the by-election.

He also advised the faithful to keep out of harm's way but added that peace will prevail because there is sufficient security.

“I’m happy because so far no church member has suffered,” he said, adding that there will be strange faces in Ol Kalou starting tomorrow.

“Be cautious who you are dealing with. Don’t get involved in material destruction. Live your life. Candidates are not strangers to you; they are people you have lived with and will live with,” he told the congregation.

He asked them to come out in large numbers to cast their votes and accept the election's outcomes.

“Don’t fear going and voting. Nobody will harass you.

Ol’ Kalou votes will not be stolen. The choice of the people will prevail,” he said.

Meanwhile, the IEBC says preparations for the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election are on course.

The commission said training of Deputy Presiding Officers and Presiding Officers has been completed, while the training of Polling Clerks is ongoing.

Ol Kalou Constituency has 73,480 registered voters spread across 144 polling stations in five wards: Rurii (33), Kanjuiri Ridge (32), Karau (27), Kaimbaga (27), and Mirangine (25).

The constituency tallying centre will be at Ol Kalou Secondary School Hall.