Two MPs, one Governor linked to raid on Uhuru Kenyatta farm

Plans to raid the Kenyatta property were mooted last Friday and firmed up by Sunday evening, Nation established.

Two MPs, a former governor and a popular Kiambu musician are among those who reportedly played lead roles in mobilising the gang last Friday when the plot to counter Monday’s demonstrations was hatched. The youths were recruited from Kiambu and Nairobi.

Nation understands they were ferried from Ruiru, Githurai 45 and Gatundu South in Kiambu as well as Ruai, Kayole and Mathare in Nairobi. Sources said they were each paid Sh3,000, and handed machetes and a power saw that was used to mow down trees at the vast farm.

Watch: Looters invade Kenyatta family Northlands farm, steal livestock and attack journalists

“They are youths known to belong to a criminal formation going by several names but coalescing around doctrines of the proscribed Mungiki sect. They are always on standby to be recruited in real estate conflicts where several developers have an interest in one plot. Those are the characters our good friends in politics hired for the raid,” said a senior intelligence officer in Kiambu County.

Security circles

He said the intelligence was shared within relevant security circles. But no action or directive was issued until Monday when the invasion began.

“I was told on Sunday evening that I should be alert because there was a job planned for us and we would be paid well,” one of the gang members told Nation.  

Some of the gang members assembled early along the Githurai-Mwihoko road, which connects to the Eastern Bypass, in Public Service Vehicles (PSVs) and were paid Sh3,000 and given machetes as they alighted.

They then headed to the vast land, which is known as Northlands City, where the Kenyatta family, is planning to build a Sh500 billion metropolis.

“As each person alighted from the PSVs, they were on the ground and handed us Sh3,000 each. They said they had enough cash for everyone and asked us not to fight for the money,” said another gang member. Boda boda operators based in the area said that they witnessed the gang members take the money.

“The buses arrived, dropped them and left. As they were alighting, some people were giving them money as we watched. When I saw the situation was getting out of hand, I left,” said one of the motorcycle taximen. Two policemen kept watch but never interfered with the attack.