CHAOS Erupt at Kindiki Delegates Meeting in Embu

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Embu County police boss Vincent Kitili has since confirmed to KTN News that one person was shot dead.

The meeting had brought together delegates from across Embu County, with those expected to attend receiving invitation messages on Thursday ahead of the gathering.

However, only invited delegates were allowed into the stadium, where Prof Kindiki and other leaders were holding the meeting.

Tensions rose after hundreds of people who had not been invited were denied entry into the venue, leading to a confrontation between the group and police officers deployed to maintain security.

Police fired teargas canisters in an attempt to disperse the protesters and prevent them from accessing the stadium, as the situation rapidly deteriorated outside the meeting venue.

The ensuing chaos resulted in several vehicles being set ablaze, with reports indicating that more than 10 vehicles were burnt. 

Two people were also feared dead during the disturbances, although details surrounding the reported deaths remained unclear by press time.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire condemned the violence, describing the burning of vehicles and the confrontation as a backward step for the county.

Gov Mbarire also pointed an accusing finger at Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, whom she linked to what she described as the planning of the meeting and the events that preceded the chaos.

One of the victims, Zacharia Mutungi, who lost his vehicle during the incident, condemned the destruction of property and called on investigators to move swiftly and ensure that those responsible are brought to book.

The incident has raised concerns over the growing political tensions in Embu County, with calls for political leaders and their supporters to embrace dialogue, restraint and peaceful engagement rather than allowing political differences to degenerate into violence.