This archive report was first published on 8 September 2019.
On September 8, 2019, a church fundraiser at Gitui Catholic Church in Murang'a County turned chaotic when Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro stormed in and vowed to preside over the ceremony.
The event was attended by Jubilee Party leaders affiliated to the Kieleweke faction, which roots for President Uhuru Kenyatta's re-election bid in 2022.
Mr. Nyoro, a member of the Tangatanga faction supporting Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid, arrived late and found nominated MP Maina Kamanda introducing his team.
When Mr. Nyoro took over the microphone, he claimed he was the area MP and would invite the guests to speak, sparking an objection from Mr. Kamanda.
"I can't allow people from Nairobi to come and take over my constituency as if they know this area. I am an elected leader and I tell Mr. Kamanda to his face that let them produce the list of the guests so that I can invite them," Mr. Nyoro maintained.
Chaos erupted as Mr. Nyoro's supporters rushed to his side, and the church became unruly for about ten minutes.
Church leaders, including Fr. John Kibuuru, desperately tried to calm the situation, but the congregation was divided between Mr. Nyoro and Mr. Kamanda's team.
After about 10 minutes, calm was restored, and Mr. Kamanda took over, presiding over the ceremony without any speeches being made.
"I was invited to be the chief guest. We shall do the harambee but we shall address the locals outside the church," Mr. Kamanda said.
