The political rivalry between supporters of President Uhuru Kenyatta and those allied to his deputy William Ruto in the Mt Kenya region is increasingly taking a violent turn ahead of the proposed referendum on the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) report and the 2022 elections.
On Saturday, Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who is leading the pro-Kenyatta forces in Nyeri County, confirmed that he had lodged a complaint with Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and his Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho over the rising cases of violence in political meetings convened by his faction.
In the latest incident at Giakanja Secondary School in Nyeri Town last week, violence erupted at a fundraiser presided over by Dr Ruto after rival youth clashed, forcing the police to intervene.
On Saturday, Mr Wambugu accused the police of being biased against his supporters and called for an overhaul of the entire Nyeri Central Police command.
But Regional Commissioner Wilfred Nyagwanga said he was not aware of the complaint letter.
“There were over 40 police officers and they left the goons to control the security. I have lodged a complaint with the Interior Ministry and copied the letter to the county commissioner. Police had taken political sides in the event and they were pro-Tangatanga,” said the MP, referring to the pro-Ruto supporters.
