KITALE, Kenya — Gunshots were reported during a protest in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County, after a group of youths blocked a police vehicle while demanding payment for allegedly attending an event hosted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
Videos shared on social media on Wednesday show the youths chanting “We want our money” as they confronted police officers, accusing event organisers of failing to pay mobilisation fees promised for attending the Deputy President’s development tour on Tuesday, March 24.
In one clip, tensions escalate as a gunshot is heard, reportedly fired to disperse the crowd after the youths blocked a road. However, there has been no official confirmation from the National Police Service on the circumstances surrounding the gunfire or whether any injuries were recorded.
Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi condemned the incident, accusing the Deputy President and officials from the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) of using force instead of addressing the youths’ grievances.
“Kindiki and your UDA brigade stop shooting our youths in Kitale. They are simply demanding what you promised them for mobilisation,” Amisi said. “They left their hustle to come and listen to your lies. You must pay them accordingly.”
The Deputy President had toured Kitale on Tuesday, inspecting and commissioning government projects before addressing residents in the Maili Saba area on development progress and planned initiatives.
The incident adds to growing claims that political actors pay members of the public to attend rallies and official events.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua previously alleged that up to Sh3 million is allocated per rally to mobilise youths. These claims, however, remain contested and have not been independently verified.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC), which has warned against the misuse of public resources for political mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While the full circumstances of the Kitale incident remain unclear, the episode highlights rising tensions around political mobilisation, youth exploitation, and the use of force in crowd control.
Authorities are yet to issue a detailed statement on the incident as investigations or clarifications are awaited.
