Goons’ fight angers Ruto as Emurua Dikirr rivalry turns violent

Political thuggery reared its ugly head during President William Ruto's tour of Narok County on Wednesday, with at least six people sustaining arrow wounds and several others injured in clashes between supporters of Emurua Dikirr MP David Keter and his political rival Bernard Ng'eno.

The ugly spectacle unfolded at Mamboleo trading centre ahead of a presidential function, prompting Dr Ruto to publicly rebuke the two politicians and demand an end to their rivalry.  

Supporters of Mr Keter and Mr Ng'eno engaged in running battles, with crude weapons and arrows used in the confrontation. At least six people suffered arrow injuries, while another was stabbed with a sword.

The two politicians have since traded accusations over the violence, with neither accepting responsibility, deepening political tensions in the constituency.

Mr Ng'eno, a youthful politician and former personal assistant to the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng'eno, is a political rival of Mr Keter, a businessman and politician who won the May 14 by-election to succeed the late MP.