UDA MP Njeri Maina Starts Crackdown On Attackers After Assault

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has revealed that she submitted some of the names of her attackers whom she identified after she was attacked by goons during a meeting she was attending in Kerugoya Town.

Maina, a politician elected under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket, further noted that she would institute criminal and civil charges against the perpetrators who committed the atrocious act on her and her supporters.

Njeri's lawyer, Rarieda MP Otiende Amollo, made the announcement on Friday, August 25 moments after she recorded a statement on the same at the offices of the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kerugoya.

Amollo cited three primary matters the suit would focus on, including the fact that the assault took place within the precincts of a police station.

Senior counsel Otiende Amollo addressing the local press outside Kerugoya police station on August 25, 2023. /THE STAR

"The first aspect is the criminal prosecution for this heinous act. The second relates to her injuries but now not to the criminal file but to the civil matter.

"The third aspect is that Maina was actually injured within the vicinity of a police station," he revealed.

The Rarieda Member of Parliament (MP) underscored that there is no room for political thuggery in the country, adding that he expects the DCI to swiftly conclude investigations into the incident.

Other than submitting some of the names of the attackers, Maina also identified others who were captured on video clips that have been doing rounds on social media platforms.

Amollo lauded the investigating officers for their cooperation adding that they are so far satisfied with their work, exuding confidence that by early next week, a lot of progress pertaining to the investigation of the case will have been made.

He added that the charges will serve as a lesson to the perpetrators and other criminals who intend to engage in political thuggery within Kirinyaga and the entire country, adding that his client had since undergone intense suffering and physical injuries over the fracas and as such will also be suing for damages.

“The first aspect relates to the assault and the bodily harm that she suffered and we have gone through the recordings with the DCI officers.

“We will also be seeking compensation over the suffering, pain and expenses she has incurred because she knows who plotted and sent her attackers,” he went on.

Amollo condemned the hooliganism incident, adding that police stations are centres where citizens should feel secure from all harm and as such termed the occurrence as unfortunate.

On her part, Njeri expressed confidence that her attackers would be brought to book by the law enforcement authorities while urging Kirinyaga youth to not allow themselves to be used as political weapons by politicians.

Maina further called on her fellow politicians to embrace dialogue in political differences instead of hiring goons to attack their opponents.

The woman rep, who is a lawyer by profession, had accompanied her client Baragwi MCA David Mathenge to the station to record a statement over allegations of vandalizing a county government water project at Mukandu-ini village last week.

After her client recorded the statement, Njeri addressed journalists noting that she would represent the MCA if he was taken to court.

While admitted at Nairobi Hospital, Njeri was visited by her colleagues, including Moses Wetangula, National Assembly Speaker, Josses Lelmengit, Emgwen MP, Woman Representatives Linet Chepkorir Toto (Bomet) and Esther Passaris (Nairobi) and Eric Muchina, Kerugoya Ward MCA. 

The saga roped in Kirinyaga Governor, Anne Waiguru, with a section of MPs calling for the arrest of the governor, who is yet to respond to the allegations levelled against her.

National Assembly Speaker, Moses Wetangula and a handful of MPs visit Kirinyaga Women Rep Njeri Maina at Nairobi Hospital on August 23, 2023. /MOSES WETANGULA

“So this atrocity which has been meted against our own colleague by the County Governor of Kirinyaga and her agents needs to be investigated very expeditiously, and stern action taken against the financiers and perpetrators of this heinous act.

“I saw the young MP in very bad shape on social media, having been attacked viciously by goons hired by the Governor. That is not acceptable. We demand that the Governor of Kirinyaga be summoned by the DCI so that she can record a statement, and if possible be taken to court," Opiyo Wandayi, National Assembly Minority Leader and Ugunja MP, stated while addressing the House on Tuesday.