Kanini Kega Survives Alleged Gun Attack in Ol Kalou

East African Legislative Assembly member Kanini Kega says he escaped an armed attack after unidentified gunmen allegedly chased his vehicle and opened fire.

He said he and his team fled the scene and took shelter in a nearby house.

In a video message shared on Monday, the former Kieni MP said the attackers pointed guns at him before firing at his vehicle. He said he and his colleagues managed to escape and were sheltering in a house while assessing the situation.

“Kenyans, you can see I’m under attack. I have been chased and they pointed guns at me and we have managed to escape. They have sprayed my vehicle. I’m only alive by the grace of God. We are not going to relent on the fight,” Kega said.

Details of the alleged incident remain unclear. Kega did not disclose where or when it happened, and the police had not issued a statement at the time of publication. The circumstances of the incident and any possible motive have not been confirmed.

Kega's claims come amid heightened political tension in parts of the country following violent incidents reported over the weekend in Kisumu and Nyahururu.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen announced that security operations had been intensified and said politicians found to have incited violence or threatened public order would be arrested once sufficient evidence was available.

“There are people saying we should arrest politicians. We will arrest them. When we get enough evidence we will arrest them for sure,” Murkomen said.

Authorities said more than 20 suspects had been arrested in connection with Sunday's unrest. Murkomen also called on the Judiciary to impose firm penalties on those convicted, saying lenient sentences would encourage further offences.

He also assured residents of Ol Kalou that security measures were in place ahead of Thursday's by-election. Murkomen said the government was committed to providing a secure environment for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to conduct a free and fair election.

In Kisumu, one person was killed during violence outside ACK St Stephen's Cathedral. Police arrested 14 suspects after clashes broke out during a church service attended by Siaya Governor James Orengo and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.

In Nyahururu, police arrested six suspects after armed groups allegedly disrupted a political meeting organised by the Linda Mwananchi movement. The suspects are accused of throwing stones at worshippers at AIPCA Nyahururu Cathedral, leaving several people injured.