MPs Alice Wahome of Kandara and Ndindi Nyoro of Kiharu have dismissed a police summons over the chaos on Sunday at DP William Ruto's church fundraiser at Kenol town in Murang’a.
The MPs said on Monday police have not officially asked them to present themselves and they will not honor summones "issued" on social media.
The MPs told journalists at Kenol the government had sponsored youths to disrupt the church fundraiser where Tangatanga and Kieleweke factions clashed.
“I specifically informed the county commissioner that youths were being paid to disrupt the meeting at specific hotels and I know CCTV images can confirm this,” Nyoro said.
The National Police Service had said through its Twitter page that an arrest order had been issued for Wahome and Nyoro.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations also said that the two were being expected at its Nyeri offices over the mayhem in which dozens of people were injured and property destroyed.
The MPs expressed shock that they are being accused of disrupting an event to which they had invited the Deputy President and more than 40 MPs.
“They did the same thing in Nyeri when Ruto attended AIPCA church again in Kisii. If anybody aspires to a political seat, the only way is through the voters and not teargassing people and disrupting other people’s events. Next time, just organise a rally and address people,” Nyoro said
He said the local police officers were receiving instructions to teargas worshippers and disrupt the service.
Earlier, Murang’a leaders allied to President Uhuru Kenyatta said they had noticed a pattern of violence erupting in meetings organised by the two MPs, which they said portrayed the Murang’a as violent.
Wa Iria said they will now be attending all Tangatanga functions and he personally be the master of ceremonies.
Nyoro said the blood of the two dead youths is on the hands of government officials and a section of Murang'a leaders.
He said though he respects all elected leaders, it was surprising to see leaders who previously had warred come together, "united by the heinous chaos" they had planned.
Wahome said if the police have sufficient evidence that they caused the violence, they should take them to court.
“These people are tainting the name of the President because it is his officers who are harassing his people, even in churches,” she said.
Wahome said, however, they will not allow their meetings to be disrupted by other leaders and she will continue with her constituency meetings unfazed.
Her constituency, she said, protects her from violence, adding that the government should allow democracy to thrive.
“I’d also want to see the report that indicates we were the ones responsible for the violence. How was it drafted if we have not been contacted?” she asked.
“I have heard Governor Mwangi Wa Iria say they will take us to court. Let them use the money to compensate the traders who made losses on Sunday,” Wahome said.
“Wa Iria, you are now acting like a goon. We are not elected courtesy of you, we are only answerable to our voters. Leave us alone. Murang’a belongs to us all,” she said.
She said their only involvement in the Kenol function was as organisers and the police should apologise to residents of Kenol.
(Edited by V. Graham)
