Uasin Gishu County on the Spot Over Municipality Office Attack as Leaders Demand Action
A viral video from the scene showed terrified female employees fleeing in distress as the attackers disrupted operations
Uasin Gishu County is facing public scrutiny following a violent incident at the Eldoret Municipality offices, where suspected hooligans—allegedly linked to a senior county official—stormed the premises on Tuesday, assaulting a senior municipality officer in the presence of county enforcement officials.
A viral video from the scene showed terrified female employees fleeing in distress as the attackers disrupted operations. The brazen nature of the assault has triggered widespread condemnation, with residents and leaders raising concerns over rising insecurity and politically motivated violence in the county.
This is not the first time politically linked violence has been reported in Uasin Gishu. Similar incidents have occurred in the past, raising concerns about the safety of residents and officials.
In a previous case, a former Managing Director of the Eldoret Water and Sanitation Company (Eldowas) was attacked while attending a burial ceremony graced by Uasin Gishu Governor Jonathan Bii and several Members of Parliament. Another violent confrontation occurred in Moi’s Bridge, where tensions between Governor Bii and Soy MP David Kiplagat allegedly played out during a fundraiser for fire victims.
Additionally, last year, Uasin Gishu County Police Commander Benjamin Mwanthi ordered the arrest of several individuals affiliated with the criminal gang “Barsuliek” after they were accused of attacking traders. However, reports indicate that the county attorney later facilitated their release, raising allegations of political interference.
Despite Governor Bii distancing himself from such groups, critics argue that the county government has failed to take firm action against political violence, allowing impunity to thrive.
Unconfirmed reports suggest that some of the female employees who were visibly shaken by the attack have been reprimanded by the county government. Allegedly, they have been asked to provide written explanations for their reaction to the incident, a move perceived as victimization rather than support.
A source within the county, speaking on condition of anonymity, described the development as “an attempt to silence workers from speaking out about security threats in their workplace.”
“This is not just about the attack; it is about the culture of intimidation and fear being instilled within the county workforce. Instead of protecting employees, they are being targeted for showing distress,” the source added.
In response to Tuesday’s attack, Acting County Secretary Ambrose Tarus strongly condemned the incident, assuring the public that immediate action would be taken.
“As a county, we will not tolerate acts of violence or intimidation against our staff. This incident is unacceptable, and we have reported it to law enforcement agencies for swift action,” said Mr. Tarus.
To enhance security, the county government has implemented several measures, including:
• Deployment of armed police officers at municipality offices.
• Security screenings at all county offices.
• Restricted access to county facilities for unauthorized individuals.
• Mandatory appointment letters for all visitors.
Governor Bii also convened an emergency meeting with senior officials on Wednesday to address the rising threats posed by politically affiliated gangs.
On Monday The Cabinet Secretary for interior Kipchumba Murkomen warned against the resurgence of criminal gangs backed by politicians.
“We are witnessing a troubling trend where political leaders are sponsoring criminal groups to intimidate and disrupt public order. The government will take decisive action against such elements, regardless of their affiliations,” said CS Murkomen.
With tensions rising, residents and leaders are calling for a firm crackdown on politically instigated violence. The county government has urged the public to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as investigations continue.
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