Murang’a Governor Claims Driver Shot During Nyahururu Rally Amid By-Election Tensions
Police had not issued an official statement on the shooting as of Monday. The circumstances surrounding the incident and who was responsible were not immediately clear.
Photo: Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata says his driver was shot during a Linda Mwananchi rally in Nyahururu on Sunday, the latest incident raising political tensions ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
The governor identified the driver as Gitari, who was injured and is receiving treatment in hospital. A bullet remains lodged in his chest, Kang’ata said, though it was unclear whether it was a live round or a rubber bullet.
“My driver, Gitari, has been shot during the Linda Mwananchi Rally in Nyahururu,” Kang’ata said in a statement posted on his social media platforms.
Police had not issued an official statement on the shooting as of Monday. The circumstances surrounding the incident and who was responsible were not immediately clear.
Kang’ata linked the violence to a pattern of attacks on the Linda Mwananchi team. He said the group was stoned last week in Kisii, and on Sunday in Nyahururu they faced more stone-throwing after a church service at AIPCA, where his vehicle was blocked and briefly confiscated by unidentified individuals.
“My driver was injured. There was a shooting incident in which he was shot. He’s currently in the hospital,” Kang’ata told journalists. “He has been left immobilised.”
The governor described the events as unfortunate while insisting his movement was conducting peaceful engagements.
“It is very unfortunate. We came here in peace. We don’t carry anything. We are only talking; we are only discussing,” he said. “Our movement is peaceful. We don’t believe in chaos. We don’t believe in fights. We will soldier on.”
Linda Mwananchi on Saturday adjusted its campaign schedule, canceling plans for Ol Kalou and redirecting activities to Nyahururu. The group cited alleged plans by “goons” to disrupt its convoy and concerns that any self-defense by supporters could be used as a pretext for further action.
The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had warned that ongoing violence and breaches of the electoral code could affect the by-election. Linda Mwananchi appealed to Ol Kalou residents to reject voter bribery and participate peacefully in the July 16 vote.
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