Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata's driver has allegedly been shot during a chaotic incident that disrupted a Linda Mwananchi Group rally in Nyahururu County on Sunday, July 12.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to the governor, his driver, identified as Gitari, sustained a gunshot wound on the chest as the governor and several other Linda Wananchi allies attended a church service at the AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral.

Kang'ata claims his convoy was initially confronted by armed civilians, before a confrontation ensued between his driver and persons believed to be police officers.

"We were first stoned while in church. My vehicle was blocked and confiscated. My driver was injured by police. He has a bullet lodged on his chest," Governor Kang'ata alleged.

📌 What You Need to Know

It remains unclear whether the driver was struck by a rubber bullet or live ammunition, although Governor Kang'ata said on Sunday that he was unable to move following the incident. Images obtained by Kenyans.co.ke show part of Governor Kang'ata's motorcade in a dire condition, with some of his cars' windows pelted with stones. In the wake of the incident, tensions were high in Nyahururu, with a planned rally by leaders led by Kang'ata briefly derailed by scuffles between two warring factions.

At one point, organisers of the rally can be heard calling residents back to the gathering, insisting they would not be intimidated by anyone, and the function would go on.

Besides Kang’ata, other leaders affected included Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi and Suba South MP Caroli Omondi, who were forced to abandon the rally after the disruption.

Governor Kang'ata has since appealed for calm and urged supporters to remain peaceful as they attempted to resume the meeting. The motive behind the attack and the identities of those involved remain unclear. Incidentally, the chaos in Nyahururu unfolded almost simultaneously with a similar incident in Kisumu County, where armed goons reportedly targeted a parallel Linda Mwananchi church service.

A group of youth armed with crude weapons, including arrows and machetes, was spotted walking towards the St. Stephen's ACK Cathedral , where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo were in attendance.

One person was reported to have sustained serious injuries from the melee that ensued as police resorted to using tear gas to diffuse tensions in Kisumu.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke