Fresh details have emerged surrounding the circumstances under which Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi was attacked in Kisumu, as leaders dismiss claims linking the incident to a love affair.
Members of the Linda Mwananchi faction have strongly denied reports circulating online that the senator was in the company of a married woman at the time of the assault.
Instead, they stated that Osotsi had met a female member of his Senate office staff at a restaurant when a group of more than 15 attackers stormed in and assaulted him.
The clarification follows widespread online speculation suggesting a possible love triangle.
However, the leaders accused bloggers of spreading misleading information to divert attention from what they believe was a politically driven attack.
Kitutu Chache South MP Antony Kibagendi said certain individuals were pushing a false narrative similar to those seen in other high-profile incidents, adding that there was knowledge of those behind the attack.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who leads the faction, explained that Osotsi had just begun discussions with his staff member on county matters when the assailants struck on Wednesday morning.
He noted that the senator is preparing a bid for the Vihiga governor seat, which may have heightened political tensions.
The leaders spoke at Karen Hospital after visiting Osotsi, who had been airlifted from Kisumu following the incident.
He was received in Nairobi by several political figures before being admitted for treatment.
While at the hospital, Osotsi recounted that earlier in the day he had visited a mall for a haircut and briefly interacted with a group of young people, even buying them tea before proceeding to meet his staff.
During the meeting, he sent his bodyguard on an errand, leaving him momentarily unprotected.
It was then that the attackers, captured on security cameras, entered and assaulted him.
Doctors confirmed that the senator was in stable condition but would undergo further medical examinations to assess possible head injuries.
Leaders called for swift arrests, urging authorities to act with urgency.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations has condemned the attack and confirmed that investigations are ongoing, though the motive has not yet been established.
The incident has raised concerns over the growing threat of politically linked violence, with calls for government intervention to address the issue.
