Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata has said that his driver was shot during the Linda Mwananchi rally held in Nyahururu on Sunday, amid reports of violence that disrupted the opposition movement’s activities.
In a statement posted on his official X account, Kang’ata identified the driver only as Gitari.
“My driver Gitari has been shot during Linda Mwananchi Rally,” Kang’ata said.
The governor was among a delegation of Linda Mwananchi leaders who had travelled to Nyahururu for political activities. The team included Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi, and Linda Mwananchi spokesperson Caroli Omondi. The leaders had planned a town procession followed by a public rally.
The incident occurred amid heightened political tension in the region, with rival political camps accusing each other of plotting to disrupt campaign activities.
Initially, the Linda Mwananchi team had planned to hold activities in both Nyahururu and Ol Kalou. However, the itinerary was revised over security concerns.
On Friday, Kang’ata announced that the group would skip Ol Kalou.
“Linda Mwananchi will only go to Nyahururu Town. We are not going to Nyandarua for now as we had scheduled,” he said.
The latest incident comes as political temperatures continue to rise ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election scheduled for July 16, 2026.
On Saturday, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua claimed that one of the party’s campaign trucks was attacked and vandalised at Pembroke in Gilgil, Nakuru County, while heading to a campaign event in the constituency.
Elsewhere on Sunday, Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo attended a church service in Kisumu as part of the Linda Mwananchi mobilisation campaign.
The Kisumu event was also reportedly disrupted after suspected goons allegedly attacked the gathering and set several motorcycles on fire.
The reported shooting of Kang’ata’s driver follows another violent incident linked to Linda Mwananchi activities in Kisii County earlier this month.
Movement leaders claimed that a supporter, Vincent Oscemo, popularly known as Mapinduzi, died after the movement’s convoy was attacked at Keumbu Market on July 3, 2026.
According to Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo, Oscemo was among supporters travelling from Kisii town to Keroka when suspected attackers pelted the convoy with stones. He alleged that at least 20 other people were injured during the incident.
“We have lost lives and many others have been injured. What happened in Keumbu should never be tolerated in a democratic society,” Gisairo said.
Following the incident, police launched investigations and summoned Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda to record a statement as part of the probe.
However, the National Police Service (NPS) had not officially confirmed the reported death at the time the claims were made by opposition leaders.
Senator Edwin Sifuna has since condemned the attacks on Linda Mwananchi supporters.
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