Nyeri MCAs escaped with minor injuries after they were whipped by irked Keini East residents on Monday.
The MCAs were attacked after storming into a meeting called by area Governor Nderitu Gachagua.
The rift between the governor and some of the MCAs, led by Kabaru representative Duncan Gituanja, who is also the majority leader, started last month after the governor denied them Sh90 million for development in their wards.
The residents, who mostly included rowdy youths, demanded to know why the MCAs were planning to impeach the governor.
“The MCAs recently boycotted my
speech
in the assembly. The majority leader was on my side but he has now changed and should now explain to public what is wrong now. He has joined others in insulting me like a small boy. Respect my age if you cannot respect my seat,” Gachagua said upon arrival, soon after the chaos.
Deputy speaker Joel Gichuru was slapped, while MCA James Kariuki lost his
wallet and mobile phone during the chaos.
Other county assembly members attacked by residents were Anastashia Wanjiru and Kibira Ngunyi.
The civic leaders were seeing escaping to their vehicles, escorted by police.
“The MCAs have been in the media insulting me. Is Gachagua the only person on earth who is sick? Some of those MCAs cannot organise their own meeting at their wards due to the stiff opposition they are facing on the ground,” he said.
The governor added that MCAs should back the government in its development agenda ahead of the next general elections.
Gachagua, who had taken his battle to Gituanja’s home turf, also laughed off the idea of MCAs impeaching him.
When contacted, Gituanja claimed the residents were "goons hired by the governor to disrupt the meeting".
Wamagana ward rep Jesse Kamuri said the goons who attacked them were hired from the neighboring Chaka and Narumoro area.