Zachariah Barasa, a DAP-Kenya allied-politician who is eyeing the Bungoma Governor seat in 2027 on the Azimio affiliated party's ticket experienced a torrid time on Sunday after his home was raided and his front gate torched.
In a post shared on Monday, the politician revealed that the unknown and armed assailants raided the home at around midnight, during which gunshots rent the air.
Witnesses reported that the attackers wreaked havoc outside the politician's gate including breaking glass bottles and burning tyres just outside the residence.
Speaking to journalists on Monday, Barasa’s brother Martin Nyongesa explained that even after contacting law enforcement authorities at 1:00 a.m no action has been taken to ensure that the suspects are apprehended.
“As we speak, Bungoma has no leader to protect the interests of the common mwananchi. It is my brother Zachariah who is fighting for the interests of the people and such incidents intend to undermine him but we won’t stop criticising the county government,” Nyongesa stated.
However, the police refuted this account, informing journalists that they have launched a probe into the incident.
It is also alleged that the incident was politically instigated as Barasa has been at the forefront of opposing the construction of affordable houses in Bungoma.
The supporters and the family of the politician are linking the incident to the ongoing demolitions in Bungoma County after Barasa led protests opposing the demolitions in Kanduyi Market in the past week.
While leading the protests, Barasa argued that the demolitions were unjust and to the disadvantage of the common mwananchi. He further claimed that the residences of senior and influential politicians were left untouched.
Barasa who is now a member of the DAP-K party affiliated with the Azimio coalition is aiming for Bungoma’s top seat in 2027.
He has already secured the endorsement of party leader Eugene Wamalwa.
The politician defected from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party on whose ticket he used to run for the gubernatorial seat in 2022.
