Bungoma’s newly elected Chwele-Kabuchai MCA, Eric Wekesa, has revealed a terrifying ordeal on election day, narrowly escaping an assassination attempt that left his bodyguard critically injured.
On November 27, 2025, Wekesa left his home early in the morning to vote at Busakala Primary School.
Two of his campaign agents had already been attacked that day, heightening tensions in the area. As he approached the polling station, machete-wielding assailants ambushed him. His bodyguard bore the brunt of the attack, while Wekesa managed to escape.
“I survived by sheer luck because I was the target. My bodyguard was overwhelmed, but I managed to run and dodge,” Wekesa said.
In a dramatic twist, Wekesa found refuge in a nearby home, where a local woman hid him until the attackers were distracted and left. Even then, danger loomed as more assailants waited outside the polling station.
Wekesa eventually cast his vote at 3 p.m., hours after arriving, using a discreet motorbike escape and tight security escort by the county commissioner.
Wekesa also disclosed ongoing threats to his family. His wife stayed away from home for over a month, and he relocated his mother to ensure her safety.
Shortly after his victory, he was falsely linked to a coffee theft syndicate in Nandi, but he avoided danger after being tipped off. He was sworn in safely on December 3, 2025.
The harrowing events highlight the risks faced by young politicians in volatile election zones, particularly independent candidates challenging established political networks. Wekesa credits his survival to quick thinking, vigilance, and support from his community.
“It was a matter of survival, quick thinking, and support from people who had my back,” he reflected.
The incident has sparked nationwide discussions about election-day security and the need to protect both candidates and citizens in Kenya’s upcoming polls.
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