Police launch probe after one person killed in clash between supporters of Kiambu politicians

Police are investigating an incident in which a young man was shot dead during a violent confrontation between rival groups in Thika, Kiambu County, on Friday evening.

During the incident at the site of a proposed market in Kamenu ward, 26-year-old David Nduati was shot dead while another, Anthony Kamau, was seriously injured by a bullet that lodged in his chest.

Lawlessness reigned in Thika Town on Friday, with supporters of are MP Alice Ng’ang’a and those of Kamenu MCA Peter Mburu clashed.

Police noted that Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe shot indiscriminately at the protestors. He was among a group of MPs who accompanied Ng’ang’a to the site to launch the construction of a market.

However, they found the MCA at the site with a group of locals who had already subdivided the parcel of land in anticipation of ownership of market spaces. The ensuing face off sparked the violence.

At the Thika Level 5 Hospital where 46-year-old Anthony Kamau was admitted in critical condition, a doctor said the bullet had penetrated the chest cavity and punctured a vital organ. Plans are underway to transfer him to the Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH).

Area Assistant County Commissioner Philomena Nzioki was also injured in the melee and treated at Avenue Hospital in Thika and later discharged.

MCA Mburu had on Thursday visited the contested market area and subdivided it into stalls and a bulldozer began clearing the site.

MP Ng’ang’a showed up a day later, on Friday, with a bulldozer accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.

According to the MCA, Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi had set aside Ksh.50 million for the Kamenu market. He hence accused the area MP of meddling in county projects.

DCI teams have since swung into action and are pursuing leads on what transpired in the Thika incident.