By BRIAN MUSYOKA 

Mukunji moved to court on September 15, 2026, seeking protection against possible arrest in connection with the September 12 incident, which left two people dead and property destroyed. 

Justice Magare Dennis Kizito Ngwono certified the application as urgent and directed that the respondents be served with the court papers by close of business on September 16.

The respondents have been given until September 23 to file their responses, with the matter scheduled to return to court on September 29 for directions.

Under the orders issued by the court, Mukunji is required to provide a Sh1 million bond or, alternatively, Sh500,000 cash bail. The court also directed that he report to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations headquarters in Nairobi on September 21.

Justice Ngwono, however, made it clear that the anticipatory bail does not stop the police or other investigating agencies from continuing with their inquiries or charging the MP if evidence supports such action. 

The court's intervention comes amid growing scrutiny over the events at Nembure, where a UDA delegates' meeting addressed by DP Kindiki descended into violence, resulting in deaths, injuries and destruction of vehicles. 

Mukunji has consistently denied any involvement in the confrontation and has condemned the violence, saying he should not be held responsible for the deaths and destruction witnessed at the venue.

In a letter to the National Police Service dated September 15,2026 through his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, the MP has also questioned what he described as conflicting messages from government officials regarding whether he was a subject of police investigations.

His legal team said Mukunji was particularly concerned after Government Spokesperson Charles Owino publicly indicated that police were pursuing him over the Nembure incident, which they said differed from earlier statements attributed to police indicating that he was not under investigation. 

Mukunji has demanded what he described as a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation into the violence, insisting that the process should not be influenced by political considerations or selective prosecution.

The legislator has also called for investigations into the conduct of Kindiki, claiming that the Deputy President was heard issuing instructions to police officers during the meeting. Mukunji argues that the circumstances surrounding those alleged orders should also be examined as part of establishing what happened at Nembure.

He further accused security agencies of subjecting him and his family to intimidation and surveillance, and demanded that officers stop what he described as harassment around his home and the targeting of his family members. His lawyers have maintained that he is ready to cooperate with any lawful investigation and asked that any request for his attendance by police or the DCI be communicated through his advocates.

By MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT 

Speaking during the auditions in Embu town, Safaricom Marketing Officer Nicholas Gachiri said the initiative is aimed at providing young people with a platform to showcase their abilities and get opportunities to develop their talents.

Gachiri said Safaricom will take the auditions to different regions as part of a nationwide talent search targeting young people gifted in singing and dancing.

He said the company wants to discover talented young people and give them an opportunity to grow their skills and pursue careers in the creative industry. “We want to discover talents and give young people an opportunity to showcase what they can do,” Gachiri said.

He said the auditions are open to talented youths who have the passion and ability to entertain, adding that the programme will continue visiting different parts of the country in search of emerging talents.

Safaricom Hook vocal coach Hellen Mtawali urged young people to take their talents seriously and use them as a means of improving their lives.

Mtawali encouraged the youth to take advantage of platforms such as Safaricom Hook to showcase their abilities, build their confidence and pursue opportunities in the creative industry.

She said talent, when properly nurtured and developed, can provide young people with opportunities to earn a living and build sustainable careers.

The auditions brought together aspiring singers and dancers who showcased their abilities as they sought an opportunity to be identified and supported through the Safaricom Hook talent platform.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

Dr Mbithi has further noted in the weekly weather forecast sent to newsrooms that residents should follow  required farm practices  from onset to cessation of the rain season.  

As for this week's weather forecast,  the weatherman says mornings will be partly cloudy while in the afternoons, sunny conditions will persist. He adds that there is a possibility of light to moderate rains in high ground areas. "There is a chance of light to moderate rain over high ground areas during the weekend".

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.

By JOHN MUSEMBI 

Kitui County Director of NDMA,Eunice Mutuku  said that since very heavy rainfall was expected as forecast by the Kenya Meteorological Services Department, it is important for residents to take safety measures such as avoiding crossing flooded rivers. 

She said it was part of government's efforts to offer the right information on the  reduction of fatalities that may occur during El-Nino season. NDMA will keep providing early warning reports in Kitui County to help residents take appropriate actions as the wet season progresses. 

Kenya Meteorological Services Department head in Kitui County Dr Daniel Mbithi told residents to follow weather forecast broadcasts in the media. He added that the forecast would improve farm yields and  safety of residents. "Those who listened to my advice last season that if there is enough soil moisture they should  plant, had great harvests compared to those who delayed in planting", said Mbithi.

He cautioned residents to stay away from flood prone  areas  as they were like to be marooned and  waterlogged. 

"This makes crop maturity to suffer since such crops turn yellow due to excessive moisture," Mbithi when he spoke to the media.

"I tell our people to be prepared and ready for El-Nino. This includes safe travels and doing early planting ", concluded the Kitui County Director of Meteorological Services.