UDA MP, David Gikaria Arrested During Fight at Polling Station

Nakuru East MP David Gikaria was arrested by police after he engaged in a fight on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
Nakuru East MP David Gikaria was arrested by police after he engaged in a fight on Tuesday, August 9, 2022.
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Nakuru East MP David Gikaria was on Tuesday, August 9, arrested for allegedly fighting an opponent's supporters during the ongoing General Election. 

The MP was taken into police custody at the Naka Primary School polling station, while members of the public were streaming in to cast their votes.

A video taken before the MP's arrest showed police officers in a heated physical confrontation with the legislator who was reported to have become rowdy after he was denied a replacement ballot for the Governor's seat. 

Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria in a previous court session
Nakuru Town East MP David Gikaria in a previous court session
The Standard

Gikaria reportedly messed up the first ballot and was denied a chance to get a spare - even as he protested for an exemption. 

Nakuru County Police Commander Peter Mwanzo confirmed the arrest and said the MP assaulted and injured a voter at a polling station in his constituency.

“We arrested him after he assaulted and injured a voter."

"He has also caused a lot of commotion and disturbance at the polling station and we are not going to allow that,” Mwanzo warned.

Mwanzo stated that Gikaria voted at Lanet polling centre in the morning and in the afternoon he sent a group of goons to Naka Polling station who were chased by police.

The MP showed up at the polling station after the goons reported to him and the lawmaker got into a confrontation with members of the public and he assaulted an aspiring MCA who is currently in hospital.

Mwanzo further stated that Gikaria complained that his people were being denied to vote. He stated that police officers found that the said supporters had already voted in the morning.

Videos shared on social media showed the lawmaker getting into a verbal exchange with a man at the polling station and they exchanged words as the MP was being held back by two men.

After police tried to separate the Nakuru East MP, they dragged him to their vehicle while he kicked and pushed them away.

The confrontation lasted for about 10 minutes, according to eyewitnesses, who condemned the MP's behaviour, especially during this time of elections.

Gikaria is defending his seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket in a tight race that attracted four contenders. 

He is facing former Nakuru Town MP David Manyara, former Nakuru Mayor Benson Mwangi, county assembly speaker Joel Kairu, and Kanu women league coordinator Grace Karuga are among those seeking an electoral mandate to unseat the MP.

An undated photo of a police car in Kenya
An undated photo of a police car in Kenya.
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