NAIROBI, Kenya Nov 4 – At least one person was shot and seriously injured on Thursday during a fracas at the Ford Kenya National Delegate’s Conference held at the Bomas of Kenya.
The meeting was held despite an order by the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) following a petition filed on Wednesday.
Reports indicate that the fracas occurred during elections for new officials, but there were contradicting reports on who exactly opened fire.
Journalists covering the event said they heard gunshots inside the auditorium before an ambulance rushed the injured person to hospital.
A man believed to be a bodyguard to one of the politicians at the delegates conference was arrested after the shooting.
Sources said the official had rejected a decision by the delegates, causing drama during which her bodyguard opened fire to protect her.
It is understood the was angered by the delegates’ decision to oust her from a plum post, causing drama that attracted people commonly known in such meetings as “Men In Black”.
An unidentified delegate was shot and seriously injured in the chaotic scenes and was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.
The meeting however, continued after the brief disruption and Wetangula was endorsed as the party’s presidential flag bearer in next year’s elections.
“This is a party where democracy thrives,” he said, and thanked delegates for endorsing him and assured that “Once elected as president I will ensure Kenya takes its stage in the world scene as a peacemaker in the region and globe.”
He also pledged to “relieve the tax payer the burden of paying taxes on everything.”
Ford Kenya is one of the partners in the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) and has assured that it will field a presidential candidate in the coming weeks.
Invited guests at the NDC include Wetangula’s co-principals in the One Kenya Alliance (OKA) Musalia Mudavadi (ANC), Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper party), Gideon Moi (KANU) and Cyrus Jirongo among others.
“God knows who will be the presidential candidate of OKA. I hope it will be yours truly Moses Wetangula,” he said.
