Several Injured After Gunshots Reported in Kuresoi North Clash Between Kihika and Mutai Supporters

Several Injured After Gunshots Reported in Kuresoi North Clash Between Kihika and Mutai Supporters

NAKURU, Kenya – Several people were injured after violence erupted during a Youth and Women Empowerment Programme in Kuresoi North Constituency, Nakuru County, as rival groups linked to Governor Susan Kihika and area Member of Parliament Alfred Mutai allegedly clashed in chaotic scenes that disrupted the event.

The incident, which occurred on Friday at Tulwet School in Nyota Ward, has renewed concerns over rising political tensions and public disorder in parts of Nakuru County ahead of heightened political activity in the region.

According to witnesses, the empowerment programme had attracted hundreds of residents and was expected to be attended by leaders allied to Governor Kihika. However, tensions reportedly escalated after MP Alfred Mutai arrived at the venue accompanied by a group of supporters.

What began as verbal exchanges quickly degenerated into confrontations between rival groups, forcing organisers to suspend the event as security concerns mounted.

Videos and photographs circulating on social media showed chaotic scenes, with groups of youths engaged in running battles around the venue. Some participants were seen fleeing for safety as the confrontation intensified.

Residents who witnessed the incident claimed that gunshots were heard during the unrest, with at least three people reportedly sustaining injuries. However, authorities had not independently verified the claims regarding the source of the gunfire or the exact number of casualties by the time of publication.

Witnesses described moments of panic as crowds scattered following the alleged gunshots.

“People started running in different directions after the confrontation intensified. There was panic everywhere as people tried to find safety,” said one resident who attended the event.

The unrest later spread beyond the school compound, with reports indicating that property was damaged during the violence. Videos from the scene showed an apparently angry crowd targeting a vehicle said to belong to the Kuresoi North legislator.

Other footage captured individuals throwing stones at a motorcade linked to the MP as tensions continued to escalate.

In a further escalation, a welfare bus belonging to residents from Ngata was reportedly set on fire during the chaos. The destruction of the vehicle added to concerns about the extent of the violence and the potential financial losses suffered during the incident.

Rival political camps immediately traded accusations over responsibility for the disruption.

Supporters aligned to Governor Kihika accused the MP’s supporters of attempting to interfere with a community empowerment programme intended to benefit local residents. On the other hand, allies of the legislator disputed those claims and blamed their rivals for provoking the confrontation.

Despite the violence, several community members called for calm and urged political leaders to prioritize peace and development initiatives.

“Empowerment programmes are meant to help residents. Political differences should not be allowed to disrupt initiatives that benefit the community,” one resident said.

By Friday evening, neither Governor Susan Kihika nor MP Alfred Mutai had issued an official public statement addressing the incident.

Similarly, security agencies had yet to release a detailed account of the events or confirm reports of injuries and gunfire. The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) had also not commented on the matter.

The incident comes amid growing concerns about political intolerance and public unrest in Nakuru County.

According to findings contained in the Kenya Freedom Index report released by civil society organisations Odipodev and Amnesty International Kenya, Nakuru recorded 50 protests between 2020 and 2025, making it the second-most protest-prone county in the country after Nairobi.

Political analysts warn that such incidents could undermine community cohesion and development efforts if not addressed through dialogue and adherence to the rule of law.

As investigations continue, residents and leaders are now calling for accountability, restraint, and peaceful engagement to prevent further escalation of tensions in Kuresoi North and the wider Nakuru region.

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Several Injured After Gunshots Reported in Kuresoi North Clash Between Kihika and Mutai Supporters