University student stormed State House with a knife

A university student has been shot and injured after he stormed State House, Nairobi.

Brian Kibet Beta revealed his plan on social media platform Facebook. On Monday 10 June, he made true his threat. Security officers shot and injured the intruder after he jumped over the fence and brandished a knife when he was asked to surrender.

The intruder is a fifth-year Bachelor of Science Mechanical Engineering student at the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Kibet was shot and injured on the left shoulder by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s guards soon after he accessed State House Nairobi.

In a statement, State House Spokesperson Kanze Dena said investigations were ongoing and reminded the public that State House was a protected area and no person is allowed to access the premise without the permission of the prescribed authority.

"The incident occurred at 4.05pm and the suspect was booked at Kileleshwa Police Station before he was taken to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment. Investigations are ongoing to establish the motive of the trespass and appropriate action will be taken upon conclusion," read part of the statement.

**Brian Kibet Beta, the JKUAT student who was shot at State House.**

It is not clear if President Kenyatta was in State House or at his nearby residence at the time of the incident that happened around 4.30pm.

Officials have confirmed that the President and his family were briefed about the shooting.

How the intruder accessed State House

According to reports, Kibet accessed State House by climbing over Gate B. He then walked towards the main residence. At this point, the General Service Unit (GSU) officers on duty noticed him.

Police say Kibet was shot after he brandished a knife when the GSU officers ordered him to surrender. The gunshots raised an alarm in State House and officers on duty were ordered to be on alert and standby.

After he was subdued, police said they recovered the knife and his identification documents that showed he is a student.

Rage on Facebook

Kibet has been threatening to attack State House. His last post on Facebook was on Sunday night when he threatened to storm State House.

“Tomorrow I attack State House,” read part of his post.

Kibet comes from Mt Elgon and his Facebook posts indicate he is fighting for what he terms as land injustice in the area.

After the attack, Kibet was taken to hospital where he is admitted in stable condition. State House said the issue is under police investigation.

In March 2017, the guards at State House shot and killed a man who was found within the compound. The man’s body lay unclaimed at the City Mortuary for almost four months. It is not clear if it was claimed.