A vehicle belonging to Kiambaa Member of Parliament John Njuguna Wanjiku has been linked to the violence that disrupted the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, following an investigation by Sunday Nation. The lawmaker has denied any involvement, saying neither he nor his vehicle was used to facilitate the attacks.
According to the investigation, the MP’s black Toyota Land Cruiser, registration KDL 477Q, was identified from video footage recorded on polling day. The newspaper reported that the vehicle was seen leading a convoy that later collected hooded men who were subsequently filmed in areas where journalists and residents came under attack during the by-election.
The violence overshadowed the July 16 by-election in Nyandarua County, where masked men were captured on video moving around polling centres, prompting concern over voter safety and election security. Journalists covering the exercise also reported being attacked during the unrest.
Speaking after the publication of the investigation, Wanjiku acknowledged that the vehicle belongs to him and confirmed that he was present in Ol Kalou on polling day. However, he rejected claims that he transported or coordinated the individuals accused of causing the violence.
“The person in the footage is me, my personal bodyguard, my personal aide, and cameramen. The road was barricaded; we were coming out to remove the stones,” Wanjiku said in a phone interview, maintaining that he had gone to check on his party’s agents and mobilisers.
The MP further maintained that he did not sponsor or ferry any individuals involved in the attacks and insisted that his presence at the scene has been misrepresented.
The by-election had attracted heightened security following the death of former Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, whose passing necessitated the mini-poll. Despite the deployment of additional security personnel, the election was disrupted by incidents of violence, including reports of armed and masked individuals operating near polling stations.
The investigation has renewed scrutiny over the use of unidentified groups during political events and the role of vehicles captured in footage from the violence. It has also raised questions about the identification of vehicles seen at the scene, with authorities expected to rely on forensic analysis, registration records and video evidence as part of any investigations.
As of publication, no law enforcement agency had publicly announced criminal charges against Wanjiku in connection with the Ol Kalou violence. The allegations linking his vehicle to the convoy remain the subject of media reporting, while the MP continues to deny any wrongdoing.