31 youths arrested after attack on Farouk Kibet bodyguard over money in Lugari

Police have apprehended 31 youths following an alleged assault on a security aide and damage to two vehicles at a fundraising event in Lugari Sub-County, Kakamega County. The confrontation unfolded around 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, involving a bodyguard attached to presidential aide Farouk Kibet. The bodyguard was reportedly headed to a church to retrieve a phone belonging to Kimani Ichungwah, National Assembly Majority Leader, who had left it behind.

Upon arrival, he was confronted by a group of youths demanding money, claiming it had been left for them by the visiting leaders. A brief standoff ensued before the bodyguard managed to escape while drawing his pistol, with reinforcements arriving in two other vehicles. During the incident, one of the aides sustained a head injury and was treated at Village of Hope Hospital in Musembe before being discharged in stable condition.

Two of the vehicles involved in the incident sustained damage to their windscreens. After initially finding the youths dispersed at the scene, police officers later conducted an operation that led to the arrest of the 31 suspects. They are currently being held pending further investigation and are expected to face charges related to assault, malicious property damage, and other offenses.

This incident marks the latest in a series of similar occurrences where individuals block roads or invade events, demanding money, as seen last week when 12 people were arrested for blocking access to a First Lady event in Siaya County. Calls have been made for decisive action to address this issue.