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Lamu Senator Anuar Loitiptip allegedly shot and seriously injured a woman in Nanyuki yesterday morning following a quarrel before handing himself in from a hideout.

Police said the Jubilee Party Senator Loitiptip, 36, shot Joy Makena, 32 at close range on the right leg above the ankle at Kanu Grounds in Nanyuki town.

He then fled the scene leaving behind his bodyguard and other supporters to attend to the injured woman. 

Contacted later, the senator said there was a gang of people who attempted to attack him and he acted in self-defence. He did not indicate whether the victim was one of his attackers.

The victim was rushed the Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital where she is admitted in a stable condition.

Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) visited the scene and recovered two spent cartridges and two bullet heads which are expected to be taken for ballistic analysis.

Bodyguard disarmed

 Detectives also tracked down his bodyguard, Constable Manoah Omale, who was disarmed of his pistol loaded with 13 rounds of ammunition.

The Senator is said to have been stressed and had sought to speak to a senior officer and the Laikipia head of DCI to explain what exactly transpired.

“We are looking for him please. If you talk to him ask him to visit the station for processing,” said a senior police officer who was aware of the incident.

Detectives yesterday visited the woman in hospital to record more statements as they investigate the incident.

“The motive of the shooting is yet to be established. We are still recording more statements from witnesses even as our team pursue the Senator,” a senior officer said.

The officers said they had not established the motive of the shooting and they intend to record more statements from more witnesses over the incident.

Speaking from undisclosed location yesterday, Loitiptip said he had not gone into hiding but had gone to the hospital as he had also been allegedly injured.

The senator added that he would report to the police and also release a detailed statement of what transpired that time.

“I was attacked by knife-wielding gang there. I am still seeking medical attention and will speak on the matter later,” he said.

The senator is not new to drama. In 2019, Loitiptip and his lover Agnes Saumu Mbuvi were injured following an attack by unknown people in Kasarani, Nairobi, as they were leaving a club.

Saumu Mbuvi, former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko’s daughter, said they had been at the club with the senator watching the UEFA Champions League finals, and had excused herself to visit the washrooms when trouble started.

She said at the washrooms, she was confronted by a man who tore her blouse in the ensuing scuffle.

The senator was attacked when she left briefly. Upon return, she raised alarm prompting the attackers to escape.

However, on their way to the car, another gang armed with clubs attacked them.

The senator sustained deep cuts in the head and was taken to the Aga Khan Hospital, where he was treated and discharged. 

In May last year, Loitiptip father, David Kiwaka, was allegedly shot and seriously injured by a police officer at Doldol police station in Laikipia county. Mzee Kiwaka was shot on the leg by the police officers.