MPs accuse Kiambu, Murang’a governors of hiring armed gang

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah. He claims that his car and that of two other MPs were stoned on their way to Ndumberi on January 22, 2016. FILE PHOTO | EVANS HABIL | NATION MEDIA GROUP

What you need to know:

  • The leaders have been at loggerheads over several issues affecting county residents.
  • He said the groups are responsible for the razing of the Madaraka market in Thika in November last year.

MPs from Kiambu have claimed that there is an armed militia that is terrorising residents — with the blessings of the county government.

The leaders claimed that the youth include goons for hire and members of the outlawed Mungiki group.

In a petition filed by Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah in the National Assembly, they claimed that the groups enjoy protection from elected leaders and some security agencies in Kiambu.

The filing of the petition, which will be handled by the Administration and National Security Committee, marks the spill-over of the fight between the Kiambu MPs and Governor William Kabogo to Parliament.

The leaders have been at loggerheads over several issues affecting county residents.

Mr Ichung’wa said the armed groups are responsible for at least four incidents of violence in the county that neighbours Nairobi. In one incident, one person was shot and MPs’ cars attacked.

“These gangs have continued to wreak havoc in many parts of the vast county with unabated impunity. Efforts to resolve this matter have been futile,” said Mr Ichung’wah.
EACC

He said the groups are responsible for the razing of the Madaraka market in Thika in November last year, destroying property worth millions of shillings.

The county government was accused of using the militia group and Administration Police to evict traders from that market, allegations it denied.

On January 22, said Mr Ichung’wah, two MPs were attacked on their way to Ndumberi and their cars stoned.

Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau said a similar gang exists in Murang’a County and was responsible for harassing officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) in the course of their duties.

This was in reference to the incident in January when EACC officers were confronted by supporters of Murang’a Governor Mwangi wa Iria after a raid on his residence.

Mr Jude Njomo, the MP for Kiambu Town, said the gang followed MPs and their supporters to Mombasa recently when they went to support Waime Kamau, a blogger charged in a court there.

“It seems there is a new way of doing things in Kiambu.

"That if you don’t have a gun, you can’t get your way,” said Mr Njomo.