Puzzle of Isiolo MCA shot by lone gunman
Burat MCA Nicholas Lorot, who is recuperating at Kiirua Mission Hospital.
An Isiolo member of county assembly is in hospital after being shot by a lone assailant in Isiolo town on Wednesday night.
Burat Ward MCA Nicholas Lorot was driving in the town near Northern Galaxy Hotel when the assailant pulled out a gun and fired several shots.
Isiolo County Commissioner Geoffrey Omoding said on Thursday that the lawmaker had been admitted to Kiirua Mission Hospital in Meru and was out of danger.
"The MCA was swift and ducked to escape life threatening injuries. He was shot on the shoulder and hand and was rushed to hospital," Mr Omoding said.
"Police are investigating why a lone shooter targeted the MCA and investigators are studying nearby CCTV footage for clues about the unidentified assailant."
Last year, Mr Lorot was a vocal critic of the county executive before going mute amid reports that he had mended fences with the county executive.
In November last year, the MCA claimed he had received threatening messages at the height of his criticism of the county executive.
The county assembly condemned the shooting and called for a thorough investigation.
In a statement, Speaker Mohamed Roba Qoto said Deputy Speaker David Lemantile had been instructed to remain in hospital to provide continued support to the injured MCA.
"We are committed to ensuring peace, safety, and justice for all residents. We are working closely with security agencies to bring the perpetrators to book," the speaker stated.
Mr Lorot came into the limelight in October last year when he and 10 other members of the county assembly issued a statement accusing Governor Abdi Guyo of overseeing irregular appointments.
“A quick glance at the county executive's payroll has revealed unpleasant happenings where laws on recruitment have been thrown out of the window and replaced with jungle law where the governor calls the shots,” Mr Lorot said.
He claimed that the county executive was paying ghost workers and former allies of the governor based in Nairobi.
However, Isiolo Deputy Governor James Lowasa and County Secretary Dadhe Boru defended the executive, blaming the payroll leak on political rivals.
The county secretary said a human resources audit was ongoing to counter the claims that the Guyo administration was paying ghost workers.
“All recruitment in the county is done within the law and is above board. Members of the public should not be misled by deliberate misinformation attributed to some politicians,” he said.
In November, Mr Lorot was stripped of his leadership roles in the assembly and suspended from sittings.
He blamed it on his criticism of the county executive.