By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 14 July 2026 - The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) has claimed that East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) MP Kanini Kega was the target of an assassination attempt after armed men allegedly attacked his vehicle at the close of campaigns for the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking after the incident, lawyer Ndegwa Wahome alleged that Kega's vehicle was trailed by heavily armed attackers from the Ol Kalou Arboretum, where the legislator had attended a campaign rally for DCP candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho.
According to Wahome, the attackers intercepted the vehicle in the Kasuku area of Ol Joro Orok but failed to find Kega before turning their guns on the vehicle, leaving it extensively damaged.
"They were unable to get Kanini Kega, so they used their guns to smash the vehicle. They destroyed the headlights, brake lights, rear-view mirror, side mirrors and several other parts. They also fired at the vehicle, shattering the windscreen," Wahome said.
He claimed a live bullet believed to have been used during the attack had been recovered and would be handed over to investigators.
"We have a live bullet allegedly used in the attempt to target Kanini Kega, and we shall surrender it to the authorities," he added.
Wahome linked the incident to the heightened political contest surrounding the Ol Kalou by-election and accused the government of intimidating opposition leaders.
Addressing President William Ruto directly, Wahome said the Mt Kenya region had peacefully supported his presidential bid in 2022 and deserved similar political tolerance.
"You came to Mt Kenya in 2022, campaigned freely and the people voted for you. You cannot repay us by allegedly trying to kill us because we have severed our political relationship with you," he said.
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He further declared that the region had already made its political choice ahead of Thursday's by-election.
"Mt Kenya has made its decision. We shall elect a DCP Member of Parliament with more than 80 per cent of the vote. There is nothing President William Ruto or Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen can do about it," Wahome claimed.
The alleged attack comes after the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) officially closed campaigns on Monday ahead of Thursday's by-election.
The contest has emerged as a major political showdown between President William Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA), which has fielded Samuel Muchina Nyagah, and Rigathi Gachagua's DCP, which is backing Sammy Douglas Kamau Ngotho.
The Ol Kalou parliamentary seat fell vacant following the death of MP David Kiaraho.
Police had not issued an official statement on the alleged attack by the time of publication.