Opposition leaders have alleged that the Sunday confrontation with police officers at Ngonda market in Kigumo, Murang’a County, was a plot to assassinate them.

The leaders allied to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) and Wiper Democratic Movement said police used live bullets to force them to follow a direction where goons had laid a trap.They recounted how the police cornered them after a church service at Kahuro AIPCA, damaging their vehicles with stones and live bullets.

“What happened is unfortunate.driver was injured, but it will not stop us from addressing the ills done to the citizens,” said Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro.

Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said unlike in the past when officers who commit such brutality hide in masks and civilian clothes, the Sunday attack was meted out on them by officers in uniforms.

He said the number of victims in the fracas has not been accounted for, as they fled in different directions after the police started to shoot and lob tear gas canisters at them.

“What we witnessed was state-organised terror. As we left the Kahuro AIPCA Church in Ngonda, the police directed us to the road where the goons were waiting for us,” said Nyutu.

He called on the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate criminal activities sponsored by the state that have led to the deaths of the innocent youth during recent demonstrations.

Nyandarua Senator John Methu said the incident was an attempted assassination, as their vehicles had bullet holes. He said the police directed them to a trap laid by the goons.

He said they had an earlier warning against visiting Kangari. “The police had specific persons to attack us, but we were guided by Murang’a people to escape the planned wrath,” said Methu.

Former Machakos MP Victor Munyaka also described the melee as an attempted assassination, as his vehicle was damaged by a police officer who allegedly pelted a stone at the vehicle, shattering the windscreen and inflicting injuries on his driver. 

Former Kigumo MP Jamleck Kamau said his vehicle was shot at twice, and he was lucky to have escaped without injuries.

“President William Ruto, when he assumed leadership, said blood will not be shed in political competition, but today it is worse,” said Kamau. 

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said the matter was reported at Gachocho Police Station and they will move to court to seek legal redress.

“The international community should come to save Kenya from being plunged into chaos. The supporters were restrained as they witnessed the brutality meted out on the leaders,” said the lawyer.