Laikipia Councillor Murdered

Laikipia councillor murdered

Story by JAMES KARIUKI and MWANGI NDIRANGU
Publication Date: 4/14/2008
Robbers Sunday shot dead Laikipia county council vice-chairman Jonah Mwaniki in full view of his wife and 13-year-old daughter.

The 38-year-old civic leader was shot three times in the chest at Mirigwit village moments after he and his family arrived home after attending a wedding.

The deputy divisional police commander, Mr Nicholas Musilu, said the robbers accosted the councillor as he drove into his compound.

“They shot at him three times before robbing the other occupants of mobile phones and money. We have launched a search for the killers,” he said.

Mr Mwaniki, who was serving his second term as councillor, was elected on a Narc Kenya ticket and had been in the forefront in the fight against the proliferation of illegal firearms in the area.

Ransacking

The raiders later stormed another home in the area where they shot dead a villager, Mr Jackson Kinyua, before ransacking the house for valuables.

The wife, Mrs Irene Wangui, watched in shock as they set the house on fire before driving away three head of cattle.

The Kenya National Union of Teachers area executive secretary, Mr Kamanja Muriithi, condemned the incident, saying the Government must urgently take decisive action against the proliferation of illegal firearms in the district.

The area has witnessed ugly scenes in the recent past with armed security personnel killing seven robbers early this year.

They also recovered over 500 head of cattle.

Internal Security minister George Saitoti early this year pledged to implement a disarmament exercise in the Laikipia West, Laikipia East, Baringo East and Samburu districts to rid those areas of illegal firearms.

The move followed the killing of 14 people and displacement of 500 others during a flare-up at Rumuruti Division.

Residents have mandated their MP to seek enactment of harsher laws to deter people from illegally dealing in and handling firearms.

Lets pray for our country at this time.God is able to restore peace.

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SOME OF THE ELECTED LAIKIPIA WEST WARD COUNCILLORS

Ol Moran – Mwaniki - 0725628814
Ndunyu – Patrick Maina Mbuthi - 0727173070
Sipili – Benard Ndungu - 0721604857
Merwa – Simon Kanyutu - 0724200197
Kinamba - Wilson Kinyanjui ‘Sirare’ - 0721410127
Igwamiti - Michael Ndungu - 0727050538
Gituamba - Kamakir Kamangu - 0720490517
Sosian - Titus Nandite – 0725210967
Maina - Joseph Kiguru – 0722637852
Mutara - John Kinyua – 0722783014
Salama – Magdalene Kariuki - 0723837815
Marmanet - Daniel Kinyua - 0729472650
Muhotetu - Johnson Gichohi - 0726844789
Ol Moran – Mwaniki - 0725628814
Ndunyu – Patrick Maina Mbuthi - 0727173070
Sipili – Benard Ndungu - 0721604857
Merwa – Simon Kanyutu - 0724200197
Kinamba - Wilson Kinyanjui ‘Sirare’ - 0721410127
Igwamiti - Michael Ndungu - 0727050538
Gituamba - Kamakir Kamangu - 0720490517
Sosian - Titus Nandite – 0725210967
Maina - Joseph Kiguru – 0722637852
Mutara - John Kinyua – 0722783014
Salama – Magdalene Kariuki - 0723837815
Marmanet - Daniel Kinyua - 0729472650
Muhotetu - Johnson Gichohi - 0726844789

It was Three-piece voting in Laikipia West

Laikipia West Constituency saw the three-piece voting style pass in favor of PNU, as residents voted for the new youthfull aspirant, Nderitu Muriithi, allegedly a Nephew to H.E. President Kibaki and virtually all PNU councilors in the constituency. One Ward to note is Sipili, where Youthfull Benard Ndungu was elected in a very closely contested Civic election, beating his closest competitor Mr Kimani, popularly known to residents as mukurinu, by just less than 200 votes. In fact, out of the 9 polling stations, the winner won in only two, i.e. Sipili, which had the highest number of registered voters, and Naiborom. Mr. Kimani won in all the remaining stations.
Cllr. Benard enjoyed the support of the local elite class including teachers and other working class, the educated youth, students, and the local business men, while Mr. Kimani’s support came mainly from the conductors around the shopping centre and most of the residents in his home area.

So, its now time to bring the leaders to task on their development promises. Watch this blog for information on the development in Laikipia, so that next time, you will be able to make an informed choice. Post your comment here and lets here what you think.