Man shot dead as he confronts MP Stephen Ngare

A man wielding a machete was shot dead as he attempted to attack Ndia MP Stephen Ngare in Ngando Primary School, Kirinyaga County, on Monday.

The MP was touring projects in the school when the man emerged from the crowd and began charging at the MP.

Ngando Primary School headteacher Sammy Mwangi moved to block the assailant but was cut three times on the head.

The MPs bodyguard, Joseph Mushumba, was cut in the hand as he shielded the legislator. He then whipped out his firearm and shot the assailant thrice on the chest, killing him instantly.

Those in the MP’s entourage, pupils and parents fled during the daring attack. Two uniformed and unarmed Administration Police officers took to their heels as the bodyguard and the headteacher fought off the assailant.

The dramatic episode disrupted learning at the school for the better part of the afternoon.

The MP had started his tour at 10am, accompanied by Constituency Development Fund (CDF) officials.

On arriving at Ngando Primary School, he was welcomed by jubilant parents, teachers and pupils. As he headed towards new classrooms built by CDF funds, the assailant emerged from the crowd and confronted him.

REASON UNKNOWN

The reason for the attack could not be immediately established, though the man is said to hail from Thigirichi sub-location.

The MP and his bodyguard jumped into a vehicle and drove off to the nearby Sagana Police Station.

The bodyguard and the headteacher were taken to Sagana Health Centre, but they were transferred to Jamii Hospital in Karatina after their condition worsened.

The headteacher was said to be in a coma.

An eyewitness, Maina Kamonde, said the man had hidden the machete in his shirt and suddenly surged forward on seeing the MP.

“He removed the weapon from his clothes and confronted the MP as the crowd screamed,” Mr Kamonde recounted.

Mr Kamonde criticised the security officers, saying they were caught unprepared.

'COMPREHENSIVE STATEMENT'

“The APs knew the MP was touring the school to inspect CDF projects but never took the issue seriously. They came without guns and that is why they fled when they heard gunshots,” he said.

A visibly shaken Mr Ngare declined to comment on the attempt on his life.

“I’m still in a shock and can’t say anything this time,” he said at Sagana Police Station, where he had gone to record a statement.

Mr Ngare promised to give a comprehensive statement after recovering from the shock, saying the incident was a serious matter.

“This is a grave matter and one needs to be sober before giving any press statement,” he added as he was being consoled by Kirinyaga Deputy County Commissioner Ronda Onyancha.

Senior Anglican Church priest Samuel Kanjobe, who is a member of the CDF committee, condemned the attempted attack on the MP.

“Why would anyone want to eliminate our MP, who has done so much for us in terms of development?” he asked.