Linda Mwananchi leaders have condemned the shooting of Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s driver during the movement’s rally in Nyahururu, accusing security agencies of failing to protect opposition activities.

Speaking on Sunday, July 12, 2026, the leaders claimed the incident was part of a series of attacks targeting Linda Mwananchi events, citing previous disruptions in Kisii and Kisumu.

Kang’ata had earlier announced on his X account that his driver, identified as Gitari, had been shot during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Nyahururu.

“My driver Gitari has been shot during the Linda Mwananchi Rally,” Kang’ata wrote.

The incident happened as Linda Mwananchi leaders held a public rally in Nyahururu after attending a church service at AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral earlier in the day.

Kang’ata later gave details of the incident, saying the delegation faced hostility before the shooting occurred.

The governor said the team was first confronted while attending a church service at AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral, claiming that his vehicle was blocked and later confiscated by goons.

“We came here to Ol Kalou and also Nyahururu town. We were first stoned while in church, AIPCA. My vehicle was blocked. It was also confiscated by goons,” Kang’ata said.

He said his driver was injured during the confrontation and was later shot.

“My driver was injured by police. There was a shooting incident where he was shot. He’s currently in hospital. He has a bullet lodged in his chest. We are yet to ascertain whether it’s a live bullet or a rubber bullet,” he said.

Kang’ata said the driver remained in a serious condition, adding that the team had visited the area peacefully.

“He’s completely immobilised. It’s very unfortunate. We came in peace. We don’t carry anything. We’re only talking, we’re only discussing. But it’s so inhumane that what we get in return is being stoned,” he said.

The governor maintained that Linda Mwananchi was a peaceful movement and would continue holding political activities despite the incident.

“Our movement is a peaceful movement. We don’t believe in chaos. We don’t believe in fights. We will soldier on because we don’t have an alternative. We’re only expressing ourselves, nothing else,” Kang’ata said.

The rally brought together Kang’ata, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi, former Kisii County MP Antony Kibagendi and Linda Mwananchi spokesperson Caroli Omondi. The leaders were in the region as part of mobilisation activities ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.

Osotsi demands police action

Osotsi accused the National Police Service leadership of failing to address repeated incidents of violence targeting opposition activities.

The senator said two people linked to the incident were receiving treatment in hospital and called on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to explain whether he was still in control of the service.

“One of the people who was with one of our supporters, and the two are in hospital now. I think this is very unfortunate, and IG, the Inspector General of Police, should tell us whether he’s in charge or he has left leadership of the police to the goons,” Osotsi said.

He claimed similar attacks had occurred in previous Linda Mwananchi events, including the Keumbu incident in Kisii County and the attack involving Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo in Kisumu.

“We cannot have incidents back to back like this, and the police are doing nothing. We saw it happen in Keumbu; we have seen it today, where police come in plain clothes, others even in police attire, are participating in attacking our rallies,” he claimed.

Osotsi also accused the government of intimidating the opposition, questioning why Linda Mwananchi events had repeatedly faced disruptions.

“What is it that William Ruto fears about Linda Mwananchi? What is he hearing about? Because nearly all our rallies, we have been threatened, we have been attacked, we have been shot at,” he said.

The senator himself was attacked in Kisumu in April 2026, where he said he was assaulted by a group of youths while at Acacia Complex.

Osotsi said he initially believed the group approaching him were supporters before the situation changed.

“They did not look hostile. They were shouting ‘Senator’. Two of them greeted me. I did not see any danger,” he said during a press briefing after his discharge from hospital.

He later said the attack left him injured and required medical attention.

Kibagendi blames government

Kibagendi also condemned what he described as continued attacks against Linda Mwananchi and opposition leaders.

“We first would like to condemn the continued attack on Linda Mwananchi and the opposition in general by this regime,” Kibagendi said.

He claimed the Nyahururu incident followed disruptions during other political activities, including an event attended by Sifuna and Orengo in Kisumu.

“You realise today in Kisumu, part of our team was attacked, and here in Nyahururu we were attacked in church, and later I believe you have seen how they have disrupted our rally in Nyahururu town,” he said.

Caroli Omondi’s car was also destroyed during the unrest in Nyahururu.

Linda Mwananchi leaders also identified a vehicle they believe was being used to ferry people involved in the attacks.

“We have on record a vehicle by registration number KDY, which is being used to ferry goons, and which has got stones, and they are the ones who are shooting innocent Kenyans,” they claimed.

They claimed that some of those involved in the violence were using private vehicles while carrying out attacks on supporters. The claims had not been independently verified.

“Those who have stoned are not residents of this town. They are imported from Thika and elsewhere by local politicians allied to Kenya Kwanza government,” he said.

Previous incidents raise concerns

The Nyahururu incident came days after Linda Mwananchi leaders claimed a supporter died following an attack on the movement’s convoy in Keumbu, Kisii County.

The leaders identified the deceased as Vincent Oscemo, popularly known as Mapinduzi, saying he died after sustaining injuries during a stone attack on the convoy on July 3, 2026.

Kitutu Masaba MP Clive Gisairo claimed that at least 20 other people were injured during the incident.

“We have lost lives and many others have been injured. What happened in Keumbu should never be tolerated in a democratic society,” Gisairo said.

Police launched investigations into the Keumbu incident and summoned Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda as part of the probe. However, the National Police Service had not officially confirmed the reported death at the time the claims were made.

The political tension has also affected other campaigns linked to the Ol Kalou by-election. On Saturday, July 11, 2026, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua said a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) campaign truck was attacked and vandalised at Pembroke in Gilgil, Nakuru County.

The National Police Service has rejected claims that officers are working with criminal groups during political events, saying any officer found collaborating with criminals would face action.