'I saw death with my own eyes': MP Kega narrates escape in Ol Kalou

Kega, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, said the incident happened at around 6:10pm as he left a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) campaign event in Ol Kalou ahead of Thursday's by-election.

"I was driving along the Ol Kalou-Nyahururu road when a white double cabin D-Max abruptly stopped in front of us. One person got out and pointed a pistol at me," he narrated. "My driver swerved and sped off."

He said a second vehicle, a new grey or black Prado, blocked them a short distance ahead, triggering a high-speed chase.

"We were only lucky that we overtook two trucks and avoided an oncoming vehicle, and they lost us," he said.

Kega said he instructed his driver to divert at the first available turning, and they got to Kasuku Centre, only for the pursuing vehicles to catch up again.

"Before we could stop our engine the vehicles arrived again. I rushed to a shop which was open, and a lady allowed me in and locked the door. I was evacuated through the back door," he recounted.

According to the legislator, the assailants alighted in masks, fully camouflaged and brandishing pistols and larger firearms. He said they smashed the windows of his still-running vehicle, believing the occupants were inside, before leaving the scene after about five minutes.

Kega claimed he spoke to the Inspector General of police while in hiding.

"My message was, why are your people pursuing me? Why do they want to kill me?" he said. "He said he didn't know them. It seems those were officers who were getting command from elsewhere."

The MP thanked officers from the area who responded to the scene, while insisting that his pursuers had one mission. "The people who were pursuing me had one mission, either to kill me or abduct me," he said, adding that he believed his political opponents had "sensed defeat and now want to intimidate us."

In an address directed at President William Ruto, Kega said the operation had failed.

"Mr President, the officers you sent were unable to accomplish their mission because God protected me. I saw death with my own eyes," he said. "If you are taking the country this route, we will not have this country next year."

He vowed that DCP would not retreat from the by-election. "We are not leaving Ol Kalou and we will protect the vote. Lazima tutalinda kura yetu," he said.

Kega maintained that residents believed police were behind the attack. "Wananchi wanasema ni polisi walitaka kuniua. Hawakufyatua risasi, lakini risasi ilipatikana," he said.

The account drew sharp reactions from a section of leaders allied to the opposition. Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji said officers operating in unmarked vehicles amounted to goons, while Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara demanded that police identify themselves.

"They should come with uniforms. The ruling was that police officers must not cover themselves," Kihara said. She added, "I am so sorry to have campaigned for a government that kills people."

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa accused the President of fuelling tension in Ol Kalou. "President Ruto is inducing violence in Ol Kalou. We don't trust the police because we don't know whether they are part of the plan, but we are just reporting for the record," he said.