NAIROBI, Kenya— East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) Member of Parliament Kanini Kega has claimed that his official security detail has been withdrawn, days after he alleged that armed men attempted to attack him in Nyandarua County during the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election period.
In a brief statement posted on his official X account on Monday, Kega said his security officers had been withdrawn but did not disclose the reasons behind the move or identify the authority responsible.
“My security has been withdrawn. But I have God,” Kega wrote.
The former Kieni MP did not indicate when the alleged withdrawal took effect or whether he had received any formal communication regarding the decision.
The claim comes barely a week after Kega alleged that he narrowly escaped an attack by armed men while leaving Ol Kalou, where he had been campaigning for Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho in the July 16 parliamentary by-election.
Speaking on the night of July 13, Kega claimed that about 10 armed men had been trailing his convoy before attempting to intercept him.
According to the legislator, he was less than a kilometre from Ol Kalou town when a double-cab vehicle allegedly blocked his path.
He said he became suspicious moments before one of the occupants allegedly pointed a firearm in his direction, prompting his driver to speed away.
Kega further claimed that after evading the first roadblock, his convoy encountered another vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado without registration plates, positioned approximately 500 metres ahead.
He alleged that they managed to avoid the second vehicle before fleeing towards Nyahururu, with the unidentified men allegedly giving chase.
According to Kega, he eventually sought refuge at a shopping centre between Ol Kalou and Ol Jororok, where he hid inside a shop.
He further alleged that the armed men later located his parked vehicle and smashed its windows before leaving the scene.
No official police statement has confirmed Kega’s allegations or the reported withdrawal of his security personnel.
The developments come amid heightened political tension following the Ol Kalou by-election, which was marred by allegations of violence, intimidation and the presence of armed individuals.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has since announced that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has opened investigations into the alleged violence and the activities of armed groups reported during the mini-poll.
Kega was among several allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua who actively campaigned for the DCP candidate, whose victory handed the opposition party its first parliamentary seat.