Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda.
Nyaribari Chache MP Zaheer Jhanda resurfaced on Saturday, barely a week after he was linked to the deadly attack on the Linda Mwananchi convoy in Keumbu, Kisii County, defiantly declaring that no one would intimidate him despite being summoned by detectives investigating the violence.
The MP addressed hundreds of supporters at Keumbu Market. Mr Jhanda's appearance came days after the National Police Service announced that he had been summoned to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over the July 3 violence in Keumbu, in which one person was killed and more than 20 others injured.
Addressing the crowd, made up largely of women and youth, the legislator sought to project confidence.
“Hapa inaitwa nini? (What is the name of this place?)” he asked, prompting the crowd to respond: “Keumbu.”
He then switched to Ekegusii as he greeted the supporters before declaring: “The country must hear and know that the MP for Nyaribari Chache is at Keumbu, at home and without fear.”
His appearance comes against the backdrop of ongoing investigations into the attack on the Linda Mwananchi convoy, led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, which came under a barrage of stones in Keumbu.
Former Chief Justice David Maraga, who was part of the opposition delegation, escaped unhurt but his vehicle was extensively damaged.
Vincent Osiemo a.k.a Mapinduzi, a passionate young democracy advocate and cameraman, died from severe head injuries after falling from a speeding SUV that was trying to escape a organised hail of stones hurled by suspected hired political goons in Keumbu during the Linda Mwanachi rally.
Vincent Osiemo, alias Mapinduzi, was fatally injured after he was struck by a stone, fell from one of the moving vehicles and was allegedly beaten by a mob.
A post-mortem conducted by government pathologist Peter Morebu concluded that Mr Osiemo died from severe head injuries caused by blunt force trauma.
“The injuries were confined to the head, including a skull fracture on the right side, and were consistent with blunt force inflicted by an object such as a stone or a rungu,” Dr Morebu said.
Burial preparations are underway at his home in Gionseri, Bobasi Constituency, ahead of his burial on July 17.
The National Police Service has since arrested seven suspects in connection with the attack.
However, the suspects were released after they were presented in court without an investigating officer or prosecutor to process the case.
Police have maintained that investigations are continuing and that all those responsible will be brought to justice.
In a statement issued last week, the National Police Service said Mr Jhanda had been summoned to appear before the Kisii Central DCI offices as part of the investigations.
“The National Police Service wishes to provide a further update on the ongoing investigations and security operation following the violent attacks that occurred at Keumbu along the Kisii-Keroka Road on Friday, July 3, 2026. The operation, led by the OCS Keumbu and DCI Kisii Central, has resulted in the arrest of four additional suspects, bringing the total number of arrests to seven,” the statement said.
It added: “Zaheer Jhanda, MP for Nyaribari Chache, has this morning been summoned to appear before the Kisii Central DCI offices in connection with the ongoing investigations.”
The attack has intensified scrutiny over political violence in Kisii ahead of the 2027 General Election, with opposition leaders accusing security agencies of failing to prevent the assault despite the presence of anti-riot police officers at the scene.
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