Nakuru three targeted in rising political violence

Nakuru County environment director Mureithi Kiogora show his torn pair of shirt after he was attacked at a night club. (Photo: Mercy Kahenda/Standard)

Incidents of political intolerance have increased in Nakuru County ahead of party nominations.

Mureithi Kiogora, the director in charge of the environment in Nakuru County, was attacked by a group of around 20 youths at the weekend as he left a popular entertainment joint in Nakuru town.

He sustained neck injuries and reported the incident at the Nakuru Central Police Station (OB number 84/2/4/2017).

Narrating his ordeal to The Standard at his house in Section 58 estate, the official claimed his assailants were members of a group of criminals who attack individuals who seem to have a different political opinion.

According to him, the youth might have attacked him following a social media posting in which he applauded a political aspirant eyeing the Nakuru Town East parliamentary seat.

In another incident, Mosop Member of County Assembly (MCA) Mwaura Njenga was allegedly threatened on the phone and later insulted on a social platform at the weekend.

Njenga said he received a phone call from a Rongai parliamentary aspirant on Friday who accused him of removing his campaign posters.

“The aspirant said I had removed his posters erected in Rongai. I also received another phone from his supporter who said ‘atanimaliza’ (he would finish me),” said the MCA. He recorded a statement at Menengai Police Station (OB14/4/2017), a report that was confirmed by Rongai OCPD Joseph Kioko.

Separately, Hezron Manyara, an inspiring MCA for Biashara Ward, was also attacked by a group of criminals.

Mr Manyara suffered head injuries and a broken rib.

He recorded the incident at the Central Police Station - OB No. OB/4/9/2/17. He was allegedly attacked at midnight by three people who were well known to him.

The driver of Nakuru Town West MP David Gikaria was assaulted in February.