- A Toyota Probox was set on fire in Keroka, Kisii County, after clashes between supporters of Fred Matiang’i and suspected hired goons.
- Two men were beaten by an angry crowd before being rescued and taken to the hospital.
- Crude weapons were reportedly recovered from the vehicle.
- Matiang’i blamed state-linked actors for attempting to disrupt his rally.
- Separate confrontations were also reported in Kisii Town during the convoy’s visit.
Tension gripped Keroka in Kisii County on Monday, February 23, after a vehicle was torched amid confrontations linked to a political rally attended by supporters of Jubilee candidate Fred Matiang’i.
The unrest began when a Toyota Probox, allegedly transporting individuals described as goons, was blocked by a crowd. Supporters barricaded the road and forced the vehicle to stop.
Witnesses said several people inside the car managed to escape. However, two occupants were cornered by the crowd and assaulted before the vehicle was set ablaze.
Reports indicate that crude weapons were found inside the Probox after the incident. The two injured men were later rushed to the hospital for treatment.
Addressing supporters after the chaos, Fred Matiang’i condemned the violence and accused individuals linked to the state of attempting to sabotage his rally.
He claimed that leaders allied to President William Ruto had allegedly sent people to cause disruption. Matiang’i insisted that political competition should not involve violence or intimidation
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua reacted differently, commending residents for what he described as swift action against troublemakers. His remarks added another layer to the political tension surrounding the incident.
As the convoy moved through the region, further confrontations were reported in Kisii Town. Two opposing groups reportedly faced off, with one faction said to be armed with machetes. Motorists and residents were caught in the unrest before calm was gradually restored
Earlier in the day, Matiang’i had received endorsement from regional elders as the official spokesperson of the Gusii community. The endorsement came amid heightened political activity as leaders position themselves ahead of future elections.
The events in Keroka have once again highlighted rising political temperatures in the region, with calls growing for restraint and peaceful engagement among rival camps.
