New Details On Gunman Attack On Ruto's Security Advisor Monica Juma's Bodyguards

The two security personnel were armed with pistols and were accosted by the gunman believed to be from Somalia, who stopped them at gunpoint and ordered them out of the vehicle.

Marvin Chege Marvin Chege
Oct 23, 2023 - 11:20 Updated: Oct 23, 2023 - 11:25
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New Details On Gunman Attack On Ruto's Security Advisor Monica Juma's Bodyguards
National Security Advisor Monica Juma. /CAPITAL GROUP

New details have emerged on how a lone gunman attacked bodyguards attached to President William Ruto's national security advisor and former Defence Cabinet Secretary Dr Monica Juma before he was neutralised along the Mwingi-Garissa Highway.

Police suspect that the gunman could be a member of the notorious terror group, Al Shabaab, who had wandered into the area. They also suspected that he could also be a rogue herder.

A police incident report from Nguni Police Station revealed that the two officers drawn from the military police were driving in a Toyota Prado attached to the Ministry of Interior when the incident happened on Saturday evening, October 21.

KDF officers ride on a vehicle during a past operation. /FILE

The two security personnel were armed with pistols and were accosted by the gunman believed to be from Somalia, who stopped them at gunpoint and ordered them out of the vehicle.

The officers were heading to Monica Juma’s rural home when the incident happened. Fortunately, the former Defence CS was not in the car at the time.

The suspect managed to steal Ksh2,000 from one of the officers. However, during the encounter, the lone robber opened fire, prompting the officers to respond and fatally wound him.

“In the process, the said motor vehicle was hit twice at the rear. The security officers escaped unhurt. An AK47 Serial No. xsh20257 1974-226425 with 23 rounds of ammunition was recovered,” the police report said.

The gunman was found in possession of two pairs of open shoes, a small sufuria with foodstuffs, a knife, a solar panel, 15 dry cell/batteries, scissors, a pen and an electric tester.

Also found were a black bag pack containing 38 rounds of ammunition, seven notes of 1,000 Somali currency, Kenyan currency notes worth Ksh2,800, three mobile phones and one expended cartridge.

Before attacking the security officers, the suspect had attempted to stop a driver from St Andrews Academy who was driving a water bowser.

On reaching the Mathiakani bridge, the driver slowed down to navigate the road, where he saw one man with a spotlight while armed with a gun.

The driver was signalled to stop and declined, instead accelerating towards Nguni Market. Instead, the gunman fired three gunshots and hit the front right tyre of the water bowser.

After driving around 800 metres, he saw the oncoming Toyota Prado attached to the Ministry of Interior and tried to warn the driver of the danger ahead.

Police indicated that the gunman could be part of Al Shabaab who have been operating in the area and had strayed from Garissa to the region.

The body was taken to a local mortuary pending autopsy and further analysis.

A photo of National Security Advisor Monica Juma. /FILE

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