Meru county commissioner fires warning after violence rocks rallies

Meru County Commissioner Frederick Ndunga. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

Meru County Commissioner Frederick Ndunga has warned politicians following campaign violence at Mutuati in Igembe North Sub-County.

Mr Ndunga said while political campaigns have remained peaceful in other parts of Meru, Mutuati was gaining notoriety as a violence-prone area.

This followed two incidents where rallies of Deputy President William Ruto’s running mate Rigathi Gachagua and Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi were disrupted.

Mr Gachagua and other leaders, including UDA’s Igembe North parliamentary candidate Julius Taitumu, were campaigning in the area when they came under a hail of stones from goons.

The Wednesday afternoon attack on Gachagua, who was also accompanied by Senator Mithika Linturi, left scores injured.

Linturi is the UDA candidate for Meru governorship race.

Governor Kiraitu, his deputy Titus Ntuchiu and Devolution Empowerment Party candidates were also campaigning at Mutuati on April 8 when their vehicles were pelted with stones.

On Friday, Ndunga warned politicians they will be personally held responsible if linked to violence.

“We have had peaceful campaigns. But there is a place called Mutuati and Igembe in general where they have started playing games. I want that to stop. Each of the candidates should ensure their supporters maintain peace,” he said.

Ndunga, who spoke in the company of Inspector General of Police Hillary Mutyambai, his deputy Noor Gbaow and Directorate of Criminal Investigations boss George Kinoti, said leaders who encourage violence will be held accountable.