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Riots after ODM MP shot dead

Riots have erupted in several Nairobi residential neighborhoods following the murder of the Orange Democratic Movement’s  Embakasi MP Mugabe Were.

 Police and witnesses said that the MP arrived at his Woodley Estate home shortly after midnight and was shot as he waited for his gate to be opened.

 

A team of ODM legislators led by Raila Odinga are currently meeting at the house and are expected to issue a statement later.

 

President Kibaki has sent his condolences and appealed for the public not to rush to any conclusions on the MP’s killing until police investigations are completed.

 

Riots have been reported in Nairobi’s Ngong Road, Kawangware and tension in Kibera and Ayany areas. The three areas are close to the MP’s Woodley Estate house.

 

Chaos were also reported in Dandora and Kayole in the late legislator’s Embakasi constituency.

 

Tension heightened after paramilitary police visited the late MP’s home and lobbed teargas at a crowd of mourners before chasing them into the house.

 

The Kilimani police boss Herbert Khaemba later apologized for the police action: “I apologise for what has happened. I did not instruct the officers to throw teargas into the compound or even enter the compound.”

 

A guard who was manning Mr Were’s gate said he heard the MP hoot followed shortly by gun shots.

 

“I climbed over the gate and saw two people holding guns. I screamed for help and it was then that they disappeared,” the guard told journalists. He then looked over and saw the MP lying beside his car.

 

He said assisted Mr Were’s family to rush the wounded MP to hospital but he was pronounced dead on arrival.

 

Doctors said that the bullets had caught the victim in the eye and chest.

 

Police spokesman Eric Kiraithe, who addressed the Press following the shooting, said that they would treat it as murder. He said they had not ruled out political motives.

 

Mr Kiraithe appealed for any member of the public who might have information that would assist detectives solve the murder to step forward and offer it.

 

The police spokesman said they would allow any interested parties to either join the police or to conduct parallel investigations in the interest of arresting the culprits.

 

Story by NATION Reporter
Publication Date: 1/29/2008

posted by: Moosecow at 17:08 | link | comments |
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