Speaker’s bodyguard killed as driver injured

A bodyguard attached to Meru County Speaker Joseph Kaberia was yesterday shot dead in unclear circumstances in Nairobi’s Kamiti Corner.

Mr Kaberia’s driver was also injured in the early morning attack.

Investigators said Police Constable Samuel Munga was fatally shot in the chest. He was later pronounced dead at Ruaraka Uhai Neema Hospital in Kasarani.

The driver, who is a licenced gun holder, was shot on the leg. The car they were travelling in had a single bullet hole, according to police. The speaker was not in the car at the time of the attack.

Police have said they intend to question the injured driver. A woman claiming to be the driver’s sister told police she received a call from the driver at around 3am. He told her he wanted to spend the night at her place.

When he arrived, she went to open the gate but heard gunshots and dashed back inside her house. The woman’s neighbours later called police.

When they arrived, they found the driver lying next to Munga with a bullet wound in his leg. Munga was still alive but writhing in pain from the chest wound.

Gunshots fired

Nairobi police boss Philip Ndolo said the two were rushed to hospital where the bodyguard succumbed to his injuries.

Police said neighbours who were questioned revealed hearing an argument outside the gate before gunshots were fired.

It is not clear where Munga and the driver had been before they went to Kamiti Corner where they were attacked.

Meru County media relations officer Mercy Nthuku said Munga was shot after he and the driver were confronted by thugs.

“We have been told that the speaker had been dropped off at his residence. The driver was dropping off the bodyguard when the assailants confronted them,” she said.

Mr Kaberia later commented on the incident, saying the attack had been reported to the police and investigations had started.

“There was an incident in Nairobi where we lost our dedicated security officer. My driver got injured and is admitted at the hospital. The Meru County Assembly condoles with the family, friends and relatives of the departed officer,” Kaberia said.

Yesterday, news of Munga’s death was received with shock in Meru. Nkuene MCA Martin Koome said he had known the bodyguard for some time.

“It is sad news that we have lost Munga. He was a great friend of mine. He was good-natured. I send my condolences to his family.”