One dead, vehicles torched as violence rocks Kindiki's UDA event

One person was shot dead, six vehicles torched, and three vehicles vandalised as the fangs of political violence that has been bred, nurtured and entertained by the State reared its ugly head in an event attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki at Nembure area in Embu.

The escalation marks another turning point in a worrying trend that is becoming a common feature in political events across the country as goonism permeates events.

But as the shock of the attack on an event attended by one of the country’s most protected leaders sank in, a wave of blame games among the political class erupted with Kindiki blaming unnamed leaders of planning the attack.

“The UDA party regrets the loss and damage brought by those responsible for organising the youth to disrupt our party meeting in Nembure, Embu,” he said in a statement.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire called for investigations into the mayhem that befell the Deputy President who has suffered yet another blow in his efforts to fortify the Mount Kenya region behind him and President William Ruto.

Mbarire said the violence also affected delegates who had attended the UDA meeting from different parts of Embu.

“The sad thing is that after our meeting, some of the delegates have been robbed on their way out of the area,” she said. According to her, the meeting was planned earlier and was to be attended by UDA delegates.

She added that some delegates had called her saying their party T-shirts and caps had been taken or burnt and that they had also lost money.

Embu West Sub- County police boss Vincent Kitili confirmed the incident and claimed that hostile youths had attempted to disrupt the event held by the deputy president, adding that three police officers also sustained injuries during the fracas.

Trouble began when a section of the youth who had attempted to access the venue were blocked from accessing the field where the event was taking place. Some sources claimed that the youths had received reports that attendees of the meeting were receiving handouts and attempted to access the venue to get their share.

A confrontation ensued with police officers hurling tear gas canisters in an attempt to disperse the rowdy youth. Officers fired tear gas to disperse the crowds, while some youths responded by throwing stones at police and into the stadium.

"One person was shot dead, six vehicles were burnt, three vehicles were vandalised, we regret the unfortunate incident"said Kitili.

Earlier on, residents doning matching UDA colors had started streaming in as early as 6 am waiting for the Deputy president. The gates were closed around 10.20 a.m., locking out a huge number of residents.

In his speech, Kindiki had urged residents to embrace political tolerance and downplayed the calls by a section of leaders to divide Mount Kenya.

On social media, a section of leaders condemned the attack and described as a wake up on the growing trend of goonism.

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo called for political tolerance. “I strongly condemn the violence in Garissa and in Embu. Let us practice political tolerance. We are all Kenyans and we will still need each other and our country post 2027,” she said.