Drama was witnessed early today after Democracy for the Citizen Party (DCP) politician Irungu Nyakera claimed that a group of more than 100 goons raided his hotel in Kisumu, leaving property destroyed and staff injured in what he alleges is part of a politically motivated campaign to force him out of the premises.
According to Nyakera, the attack happened shortly after 5:00am, when a large group descended on the property, vandalizing vehicles and buildings while terrorizing workers on duty.
Nyakera says he was awakened by the commotion and rushed outside to confront the attackers.
“Upon hearing the commotion, I quickly went after them, shooting twice in the air as they fled,” he said.
Frustrated by the delay, Nyakera says he sent a message warning the police that he would shoot anyone who stepped onto his property if the attackers returned.
Nyakera insists the incident is not isolated. He says a similar confrontation happened about three weeks ago, when individuals allegedly working with the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) stormed the same premises.
According to him, the group removed merchandise and locked him out of the building, prompting him to report the matter to security agencies in Kisumu.
Nyakera alleges that the operation was carried out under instructions from Raymond Omollo, a Principal Secretary in the Interior Ministry.
He claims investigators informed him that he was being pushed out of the government-owned building because of his affiliation with the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
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Nyakera further alleges that senior investigators in the region hinted that Omollo had personal interests in the property, noting that the PS previously served as CEO of the Lake Basin Development Authority while a relative currently leads the agency.
Nyakera maintains he is legally entitled to operate the facility.
He says he took over the premises in 2019 as a shell building and has since invested more than Sh235 million, citing court records to back the claim. He also says he holds a 50-year lease on the property.
In a pointed message directed at Omollo, Nyakera said if the government official wants the property, he should pursue a lawful transaction.
“If he indeed wants to take over the property, let him come and we do a valuation and I sell it to him,” Nyakera said.
He also condemned alleged ethnic chants during the raid, claiming the attackers shouted “hatutaki mkikuyu” (we don’t want Kikuyus) while storming the premises.
“Sending goons here chanting ‘hatutaki mkikuyu’ will not drive me away. I am an investor, but I am not stupid,” he said.
By the time of publication, police in Kisumu no PS Omollo had not publicly responded to the allegations.
