Police in Nyandarua have launched investigations after East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega claimed his vehicle was sprayed with bullets by people he suspects were police officers while travelling from Ol Kalou to Nyahururu after the by-election campaigns.
Speaking from what he described as a hideout in Oljororok, Kega said the attack occurred when he was heading to Nyahururu from Ol Kalou after campaigns for the by-election officially closed on Monday evening. He had attended the DCP final campaign rally held at the Ol Kalou Arboretum.
According to Kega, the people behind the alleged attack were targeting him.
“The police officers were aiming at me. I noticed them aim the gun at me and directed my driver to speed off towards Nyahururu. I noticed they tried to pull the trigger, but the gun failed to shoot. But they managed to spray my vehicle with bullets when we escaped,” the MP said in a video shared on Monday.
County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa, however, said no official report had been made at any police station regarding the alleged attack.
Jaldesa directed the security team in Ol Kalou Constituency to investigate the matter and take the necessary action.
Kega said he noticed three vehicles with concealed number plates trailing his vehicle before the incident.
He noted that he narrowly escaped an armed attack after the unknown gunmen allegedly chased his vehicle and opened fire. He said he and members of his team fled from the attackers before taking refuge in a nearby house, where he said a well-wisher had hosted him for safety.
“Kenyans, you can see I’m under attack. I have been chased, and they pointed guns at me, and we have managed to escape. They have sprayed my vehicle. I’m only alive by the grace of God. We are not going to relent on the fight,” Kega said.
“We are temporarily safe in this house.”
Kega did not say where or when the alleged attack happened, and there was no immediate statement from police on the incident.
His claims come amid heightened political tensions following violent incidents in Kisumu and Nyahururu over the weekend.
Speaking on Monday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said security agencies were stepping up efforts to deal with political violence and goonism, warning that politicians found inciting violence or threatening national security would be arrested.
“There are those saying we should arrest politicians. We will arrest them. When we get enough evidence, we will arrest them for sure,” Murkomen said.
The Cabinet Secretary said more than 20 suspects had been arrested over Sunday’s incidents in Kisumu and Nyahururu and urged the Judiciary to impose tough penalties on those found guilty.
“Let’s not start pretending like the police are not doing anything about this. Over 20 people have been arrested so far in connection with yesterday’s incidents. We must work with the Judiciary. When we arraign these suspects, the courts should take tough legal action commensurate with their offences,” he said.
Murkomen also assured residents of Ol Kalou that enough security had been put in place ahead of Thursday’s by-election to allow the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to conduct a free and fair election.
His remarks came a day after violence outside ACK St Stephen’s Cathedral in Kisumu, where Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna had attended a church service.
Two people were killed, and 14 suspects were arrested following the unrest.
In Nyahururu, police arrested six suspects after armed groups allegedly disrupted a political event organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement by throwing stones at worshippers attending a church service at AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral, leaving several people injured.
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