Three people were shot and several others injured after violence broke out during a public event in Kuresoi Sub-County, Nakuru County, where supporters of Governor Susan Kihika and Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai clashed, prompting a police investigation and heightened security in the area.

The confrontation occurred during a women and youth empowerment programme on Thursday, disrupting the gathering as rival groups engaged in running battles that escalated into gunfire. Police confirmed that three people sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to Molo Level 4 Hospital for treatment. Authorities have not reported any fatalities.

The violence also resulted in widespread destruction of property. A bus was set ablaze, several vehicles were vandalised and panic spread among residents and attendees as the event descended into chaos.

Witnesses said the situation deteriorated after rival supporters confronted one another at the venue, leading to stone-throwing and other acts of violence before gunshots were heard. Security officers intervened to disperse the crowds and restore order, while emergency responders evacuated the injured to hospital.

The National Police Service has launched investigations into the incident as detectives work to establish the circumstances that led to the shooting and identify those responsible.

As part of the investigation, police have named Kuresoi North MP Alfred Mutai as a person of interest and announced that they are seeking to question him over the incident. Authorities have urged the legislator to cooperate with investigators as inquiries continue.

Police have not disclosed who fired the shots that injured the three victims, and no charges had been announced at the time of publication. The investigations are expected to determine individual responsibility based on witness statements, forensic evidence and other material gathered from the scene.

The shooting has also reignited debate over the presence of weapons at political gatherings and the responsibility of organisers and security agencies to protect members of the public attending such events.

Residents have called for a thorough investigation and swift action against those found responsible, arguing that violence at political functions threatens public safety and undermines confidence in community engagement initiatives.

Authorities have increased security in the area as investigations continue, while urging members of the public to remain calm and allow detectives to complete their inquiries without interference.

Police say the priority remains identifying those directly responsible for the shootings and ensuring they are held accountable under the law. Investigators are also assessing the extent of the property damage caused during the clashes.

The incident adds to a growing list of politically related disturbances reported in different parts of the country in recent months, underscoring the continued need for restraint among political leaders and their supporters during public engagements.

With investigations now underway, attention will focus on the findings of detectives and any legal action that may follow as authorities seek to establish how a public empowerment event descended into one of the most serious incidents of political violence witnessed in Nakuru County in recent months.