Police have denied reports that Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s driver was shot during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Nyahururu on Sunday, July 12, after violence erupted and forced the event to end abruptly.
In a statement issued after the incident, the National Police Service (NPS) said clashes broke out during the rally, which was attended by other Linda Mwananchi officials, following rival groups’ clashes. The police added that no shooting occurred.
Police said a group of individuals tried to disrupt the rally by throwing stones, which led to minor injuries among members of the public, including Kang’ata’s driver. They said that one person, Joseph Gitau, sustained a chest injury, received treatment, and was discharged.
“In Nyahururu Town, a group of individuals attempted to disrupt a political rally by throwing stones, causing minor injuries to several members of the public, including one Joseph Gitau, who sustained a chest injury and was treated and discharged. Contrary to some allegations, there was no shooting incident. Police responded promptly and arrested six suspects, who have been placed in custody pending arraignment,” NPS said.
The police further stated that the governor’s driver sustained chest injuries, but that he was treated and discharged.
Kang’ata blames police, alleges shooting
The statement came after Governor Kang’ata reported that his driver was shot in the chest, while blaming police for disrupting the rally.
Kang’ata said armed civilians initially confronted his convoy before a confrontation broke out involving his driver and people he believed to be police officers. He alleged that his team was first stoned while they were at a church and that police blocked and confiscated his vehicle.
“My vehicle was blocked and confiscated. My driver was injured by police. He has a bullet lodged in his chest,” Kang’ata said.
After the incident, police confirmed six arrests connected to the Nyahururu attack and said they were pursuing others believed to have orchestrated the unrest.
Kisumu clashes leave one dead
The Nyahururu disturbance was among two politically linked incidents reported on Sunday, both directed at the Linda Mwananchi team. In Kisumu City, police said clashes between rival groups left one person dead, several others injured, nine motorcycles torched, and a police vehicle damaged.
Police said the violence started after a group of armed youth tried to forcefully access a church attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, both affiliated with the Linda Mwananchi team.
Fourteen suspects arraigned
Fourteen suspects have since been arraigned over the weekend violence in Kisumu and Nyahururu, as the government comes under increasing pressure to show that its repeated promises to end political “goonism” will be matched with consistent prosecutions rather than statements.
The suspects, eight arrested in Kisumu and six in Nyahururu, appeared in court on Monday following incidents that reportedly left at least one person dead and others injured, alongside nine torched motorcycles and a damaged police vehicle.
In a statement, the National Police Service said the suspects had been charged with offences linked to the unrest and warned that anyone involved in political violence would face the full force of the law.
“The National Police Service will not tolerate violence, hooliganism or any disruption of public peace. We remain steadfast in our duty to maintain law and order,” it said. “Let it be clear: those who choose chaos will be met with the full force of the law.”
Police said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest additional suspects involved in the attacks. The service urged anyone with information that could aid the investigation to visit the nearest police station or share tips through its anonymous reporting channels.
