Chaos ensued on Friday, July 4, after goons reportedly attacked opposition leaders' convoy moments after their rally in Bungoma County.
The convoy carrying top opposition leaders, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, was attacked in Chwele town.
According to lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, who was among the leaders in the rally, their convoy was hijacked while they were on their way to Kitale. During the incident, they were stoned, forcing them to drive off to safety.
We are under heavy attack from government-sponsored goons…..Goons are firing gunshots, aiming at our convoy, we were heading to Kitale,'' Njiru commented.
Videos shared widely on social media and seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed hundreds of individuals pelting stones towards the opposition leaders' vehicles. Others were armed with clubs and chased the leaders away.
Describing how the events unfolded, former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba alleged that some of the goons drew out knives, while others were assisted by the police to scatter the meeting.
“The police are working with the goons, have you seen the way they are not even stopping them, that is exactly what they want to do during the Saba Saba day protests. They are even giving them weapons," Orwoba revealed.
According to Orwoba, one of the leaders suffered injuries, and they were forced to eject him from the rally to seek medical attention in one of the local hospitals.
“It is evident that the authorities that are supposed to protect Kenyans are now arming goons and militia to kill anyone with a divergent view. We had to evacuate this leader who was attacked by the militia and left to die. He had a deep cut on his head, several other cuts on his body, and had bled out," Orwoba revealed.
The convoy is currently in the Western region for the multi-county opposition tour aimed at rallying support and addressing recent political developments, including the Gen Z protests and the alleged misuse of state power.
Despite the destruction, the leaders did not relent; they went through and landed in Kitale, where they continued with their agenda.
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua, speaking in Bungoma, revealed that the county was ready to rewrite the wrongs of the past and forge a brighter future.
“A trailblazer in decision-making and governance, Bungoma has reaffirmed that power truly belongs to the people and can only be exercised through their collective will," Gachagua revealed.
