Martha died my death, I was the target, claims Ngilu

Former Cabinet Secretary Charity Ngilu on Saturday narrated how she narrowly escaped death in the Friday accident which claimed her staunch ally and one time Mayor of Kitui municipality Martha Mwangangi.

In an interview at her Ithookwe rural home where she is recuperating from the shock, Mrs Ngilu told Nation that she was a target of assassination and that the former Mayor died her death.

Mrs Ngilu said she was yet to come to terms with the heartbreaking images she witnessed of the gory and bloody body of her close friend of 30 years lying on the tarmac, with internal organs strewn all over.

“I emerged from Kitui police station and I was walking towards my car which was parked outside, I heard people shout and the next thing I found myself lying on the fence having been thrown there by my bodyguard,” she said.

The Narc leader said at first she did not understand what was happening because she had just concluded a fruitful meeting with senior police officers and boda boda leaders and the protesting hawkers had long dispersed.

“Everyone was scampering for safety and I could hear cries of Martha amekanyagwa (Martha has been trampled upon), I could not believe my eyes when I saw someone under a moving fire-fighting engine,” she said.

SURVIVED BY GRACE OF GOD

“The incident happened in a split second. Martha was beside me as we walked out of the station to our cars, the truck charged into us immediately and I only survived by grace of God” she said amid tears.

The former Cabinet secretary who was treated for shock at a local hospital said she believes the truck driver knew what he was doing because he could see the crowd from a distance and had all the time to slow down.

“If I wasn’t the target, why did he take a turn like he was entering the station and then speed off after driving into the crowd and crushing the mayor?” she posed.

Mrs Ngilu said in her political career spanning more than 20 years, Friday was her saddest day watching her best friend killed mercilessly after peaceful protest.  

Mrs Mwangangi served as the councillor of Kitui township ward for three consecutive terms when Mrs Ngilu was the MP for Kitui central.

She explained that the day began with shocking news that kiosks had been flattened at night and she was invited to address the protesters where she joined them at Kalundu market around 9am.

PEACEFUL PROTEST

“I joined the peaceful protest and advised the hawkers on how they could seek redress. That we finished by 11am, and then proceeded to dialogue with police over boda boda issues. Where was the fire in town?” she questioned.

Her bodyguard a Mr Mweke narrated how he also jumped after pushing his boss to the fence to avoid being hit by the truck while her driver Mutuku Musilu thought her boss had been hit until he saw her lying on the ground.

She said she will reveal more details of the attempt on her life and name other people after recording statement with police.

Mrs Ngilu issued a joint statement with Kitui Senator David Musila asking the people to remain calm as police investigates the matter and announced they will meet the affected traders and address a rally in town on Monday.

The two condemned the demolitions where small scale traders lost goods worth millions of shillings and said they will help them get justice in honour of the former Mayor who died fighting for their rights.

Both Mrs Ngilu and Mr Musila are running for same Governor’s seat against incumbent Julius Malombe, on separate political parties.

“The two of us will work together on these matters to ensure justice is delivered both to small scale traders and the family of the late Mayor” the statement read.