Mt Elgon MP Fred Kapondi has denied claims that 18 guns and thousands of bullets were recovered from his residence following a police search linked to the murder of former councillor Nathan Masai Wasama.
Kapondi said the allegations, which he attributed to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, were false and had been circulated amid heightened political tensions surrounding Wasama’s killing.
Speaking about the search of his residence, Kapondi said no firearm or ammunition was recovered.
“I want to make it very clear that at my residence, though the search was done unprofessionally, nothing like a single gun was recovered because I’m not in the business of keeping guns.
“I’m not a gun runner. No single gun was found at my residence. No single bullet was found in my residence,” Kapondi said.
He said officers only found ordinary household items, including axes, pangas and traditional sticks that he said he receives during ceremonies and keeps at home.
Kapondi challenges Gachagua’s claims
Kapondi accused Gachagua of relying on information supplied by political aspirants in Mt Elgon without verifying the allegations.
He said the former Deputy President should be cautious about making statements concerning an ongoing murder investigation, arguing that such remarks could fuel political tensions in the area.
“For the former Deputy President to allege, because he’s being misinformed without verifying by political aspirants in Mt Elgon who are trying to capitalise on the unfortunate murder of the former councillor, it risks something,” Kapondi said.
He also rejected any suggestion that he could have been involved in the killing, saying his political career had never involved violence against opponents.
“My conscience is clear. I’ve never been in the business of killing political opponents. It has never happened in my entire political career,” he said.
Wasama murder remains under investigation
Wasama was killed last week, triggering political debate in Mt Elgon and renewed attention on the circumstances surrounding his death.
Kapondi said political claims surrounding the case should not replace investigations into what happened.
He further alleged that information circulating about Wasama’s private life before his death was being used to obscure the circumstances of the killing.
However, those claims remain allegations and do not establish what led to Wasama’s death.
The remarks come as questions continue to surround the investigation, with Kapondi seeking to distance himself from both the alleged weapons recovery and any suggestion of involvement in the killing.
The MP’s response also places the dispute squarely within the wider political contest in Mt Elgon, where the death has become the subject of competing narratives from political actors.
Kapondi maintained that the focus should remain on establishing the circumstances of Wasama’s death rather than spreading unverified claims about individuals.
