Murang'a leaders vow to lock out Ruto after deadly clash

A section of Murang’a’s elected leaders, which leans towards Jubilee Party’s Kieleweke wing, on Monday declared it will lock Deputy President William Ruto and his Tangatanga brigade out of the county.

Its announcement came a day after a deadly clash of supporters of the two factions at Kenol, which left two people dead and several injured.

Warnings from government authorities to politicians followed, with Inspector-General Hillary Mutyambai ordering the arrest of MPs Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu) and Alice Wahome (Kandara), accusing them of hiring goons to cause the chaos.

In a move likely to escalate political confrontations and raise temperatures further, the group said it will attend all public meetings organised by Tangatanga as whatever the DP discusses also affects them.

Led by Governor Mwangi wa Iria, the politicians also said they will attend all Tangatanga meetings to ensure speakers do not undermine President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“I, as the Murang’a governor, will be acting as the master of ceremony in their meetings. We will not allow two MPs to bring in outsiders to sink my county into chaos and insult our leaders, including the president,” he said.

Senator Irungu Kang’ata asked politicians to be cautious with their public speeches and deeds.

“At all times we should be magnanimous enough to speak with one voice, condemn all forms of violence and instead inculcate a culture of peace.”

He said he will lead a drive to raise funds for the families of the two people who died at Kenol and find a way to compensate traders whose businesses were affected by the chaos.

‘Hustlers’ unbowed

In his response to the remarks, Mr Nyoro told the Nation on phone that he is not surprised “since we know their wing has been accorded impunity of speech and deeds by their masters scared of the hustler revolution”.

He said “there who engage in political violence in Murang’a but are given a rose while the recipients of that violence are ordered arrested and charged”.

"We are competing with enemies of the poor, enemies of building the church and enemies of my community which is breaking the yokes of politically driven tribalism,” he added.

He said they have calculated the risk “deduced that we can afford to pay” so they will remain unbowed in the run up to the 2022 General Election and beyond.

Ms Wahome said “we are aware that this hustler journey will be tough”, echoing the DP’s sentiments on Sunday that “our opponents better put their act together since we are unstoppable”.

Gatanga MP Nduati Ngugi said Murang’a does not need DP Ruto’s fundraisers “since this county is famed for its billionaires who can effortlessly build all required churches”.

Mathioya MP Peter Kimari announced that the DP will tour his constituency on October 16.

“The governor and I will be there as the rightful hosts and will demand respect for ourselves and the President,” he said.

Also present was Murang’a Woman Representative Sabina Chege, who complained that she was insulted and defamed by the DP’s allies at Kenol and Githurai.

Some of the speakers in the DP’s entourage claimed that Mr Wa Iria, Ms Chege, Maragua MP Mary wa Maua and Mr Kimari financed the violence.