By Elizabeth Mwibanda, Bungoma
Kamukuywa ward MCA Abraham Kibunguyi has been hospitalised at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) – Eldoret with gunshot wounds.
Mr Kibunguyi, the Kamukuywa ward MCA in Bungoma was shot by the police following a dramatic confrontation involving the seizure of 35 drums of ethanol. The drums, each containing 250 liters of ethanol, were reportedly being transported from Uganda, and the truck carrying them had reportedly evaded the authorities.
According to Mt Elgon Sub-County Police Commander Morphat Mang’era, the operation to seize the contraband was jointly led by Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and the police.
The truck, registered under the number KDG 231W, was intercepted at Sinoko village in Mapera Sub-location within Kimilili Ward. The 35 drums of ethanol were cleverly hidden beneath bricks, trying to conceal their presence, as per the police report.
Mr Mang’era revealed that the police had been forced to call for reinforcements after Kibunguyi allegedly hired a group of goons to cause disruption. The hired men, armed with sticks, stones, and plastic bags filled with petrol, attempted to prevent the authorities from taking control of the truck and its illicit cargo.
“The MCA’s intention was to retain the consignment,” Mang’era remarked. “This created chaos, and the police had to call for backup. Even though we managed to free the arrested suspects, the MCA was injured in the process.”
However, the unfolding events quickly gained political traction, with accusations flying regarding the handling of the situation.
Emmanuel Situma, the Speaker of the County Assembly of Bungoma, expressed his dissatisfaction with how the operation was conducted.
Mr Situma claimed that the KRA and police had violated protocol by failing to follow the proper procedures for arresting a suspect.
“It was intentional and part of the competition between the police and other actors involved in the ethanol business,” Situma said, pointing out that some police officers in the area had reportedly been involved in the illegal trade of ethanol themselves. “The KRA could have simply presented the matter to the police, and the process would have been followed according to the law.”
Situma further criticized the KRA for handling the situation in a manner he described as unjust and set up. He called for a thorough investigation into the matter, suggesting that the police were involved in actions beyond what was lawful.
The Speaker’s concerns were echoed by Iddi Chamawi, the MCA for Maeni Ward, who claimed that the attack on Kibunguyi’s truck had been carefully planned. Chamawi, who is a neighboring MCA, stated that the attackers were clearly targeting Kibunguyi and that they had even aimed to kill him that night.
“This was no coincidence,” Chamawi said. “It was an intentional act, and it is clear they wanted to harm him, but this was not the right way to resolve the matter.”
