Political temperatures in Nairobi's Embakasi East constituency hit a new high after a man accused of being the leader of the outlawed Mungiki sect issued a death threat.
Mr Stephen Maina Waruinge appeared in court and was charged with threatening to kill Jubilee aspirant Francis Mureithi Wambugu.
Mr Waruinge is accused of having made the threat on April 19 at a night club in Mihang'o area, Kayole, where he alluded to the murder of a former Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) politician from the constituency - the Late Mellitus Mugabe Were.
"Hata Mugabe Were alishinda hii kiti lakini hakuikalia (Even Mugabe Were won this seat but he never occupied it)," Waruinge is reported to have remarked.
The feud between the two is seen as being political as they are rivals for the said parliamentary seat.
Waruinge lost the Jubilee nomination to Mr Mureithi and is now contesting as an independent candidate.
Prior to the threat, Mr Mureithi had expressed knowledge of underhand methods at play to dissuade his supporters, asserting that he was undeterred.
"I will not give in to his threats and no intimidation will scare me away. I will stand for the rights of my supporters. I have also informed the area OCS and asked for their services where necessary," Mureithi stated.
Mr Waruinge refused to take a plea on the case and was released on a Sh500,000 bond plus two sureties.
[caption caption="Former Jubilee aspirant Stephen Waruinge who is also accused of being the current Mungiki leader."]
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[caption caption="Jubilee party aspirant for Embakasi East Francis Mureithi receiving his nomination certificate from Jubilee Executive Winnie Guchu"]
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