Armed police officers and auctioneers on Thursday raided the home of Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara, seizing a personal vehicle and 127 goats and sheep belonging to her son.
The dramatic operation stemmed from a 2007 election petition case between Kihara and former Naivasha MP John Mututho, which has dragged on for years in court.
Livestock and Car Seized in Early Morning Operation
The auctioneers, backed by officers from Naivasha Police Station, reportedly arrived early Thursday morning and carted away livestock and a personal car from Kihara’s compound.
According to the legislator, the action was politically motivated and intended to intimidate her after she publicly accused President William Ruto and his allies of allegedly grabbing Kenya Railways land in Naivasha to build a shopping mall.
Kihara Blames Raid on Political Intimidation
“The OCS called me saying he was under pressure to implement an order by the auctioneers, and I told him I should be present when it was carried out,” Kihara told journalists, visibly emotional.
She added that there is a pending appeal at the Court of Appeal, questioning how her rival obtained a fresh court order authorizing the seizure of her property.
“All the goats and sheep taken belong to my son — I don’t have any livestock. The hired youths even stole some of the animals during the raid,” she lamented.
Background of the Long-Running Case
The 2007 Naivasha election petition pitted Kihara against John Mututho, a former MP and outspoken anti-alcohol crusader. The dispute has resurfaced multiple times over the years, with Mututho previously seeking damages and legal costs from Kihara.
Kihara, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has recently been critical of the Ruto administration. She has accused it of sidelining Mt. Kenya leaders loyal to Gachagua.
The MP has vowed to fight what she describes as political persecution, saying she will not be intimidated into silence.
