Laikipia governor’s seat independent candidate, Nderitu Muriithi was on Wednesday forced to cut short his campaign meeting after gunshots rent the air not far from the venue.
Fear and confusion gripped Mutitu area in Matuiku location moments after gunfire was heard about a kilometre away as soon as he arrived and started addressing the residents at Karumaindo shopping at about 3pm.
Muriithi had to drove to the local police post to seek for intervention after local people said there was a group of about 100 armed raiders who were about to attack the area.
The 15 police officers at the post did not have fuel for the only running vehicle. The candidate made calls to the County police commander Simon Kipkeu and County Commissioner Onesmus Musyoka seeking for reinforcement.
According to Muchiri Gitonga who was in the entourage, Muriithi had to cut short his pogramme for a series of campaign meetings for the day to calm the people, particularly women and children who feared that the rustlers could attack at night.
The people were appeased when he told them the County Commissioner and the police commander had assured him that more security officers had been dispatched to the area to restore calm.
Residents expressed said they were concerned about their security during the forthcoming election and called for government’s urgent intervention to ensure their safety.
