Rival TNA factions clash at Nakuru party offices

Administration Police officers arrest people who stormed the offices of The National Alliance in Milimani Estate, Nakuru, to disrupt a meeting on June 5, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH |

What you need to know:

  • Group supporting one official claim another is in office illegally.
  • Order restored when APs intervened.

There was drama at the Nakuru offices of The National Alliance when a group supporting acting chairman Abdul Noor stormed a meeting convened by a rival faction, calling it illegal.

An Administration Police officer arrests a young man who was part of a group that stormed the offices of The National Alliance in Nakuru on June 5, 2015. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

They insisted that Mr Noor is the party's duly elected regional chairman and Harrison Muiruri, who leads the rival faction, had no business claiming to chair a meeting at the party's offices.

The group had gone to disrupt a meeting being held by a rival faction. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Order was restored when Administration Police officers intervened and ejected the group affiliated to Mr Noor, allowing Mr Muiruri's team to proceed with their meeting.

Several people were arrested during the fracas but were later released.

Journalists confront an Administration Police officer in the TNA office compound. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

In May, Mr Noor's faction invaded the offices, forcing Mr Muiruri to flee. They then installed Mr Noor as the county TNA chairman.

The journalists had gone to cover the dispute between the two TNA factions when a plainsclothes officer arrested one of them, prompting the others to intervene. The matter was later resolved through the efforts of Nakuru East police boss Barnabas Kimutai, who said it was a case of mistaken identity. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

Mr Noor condemned the Muiruri team, saying they had failed to address party issues affecting TNA members in Nakuru County.

Several people who were arrested during the fracas were later released. PHOTO | SULEIMAN MBATIAH | NATION MEDIA GROUP

The members in the county are now at a loss as to who to consult over local party matters as both the Muiruri and Noor groups continue to claim they are in office legally.