Unidentified gunmen attacked Kenyan
Deputy President William Ruto’s residence in
the western town of Eldoret on Saturday
when Ruto and his family were absent, local
television stations reported.
A police officer guarding the residence was
wounded, KTN News reported. NTV News
said gunshots could still be heard from the
scene. NTV News also showed footage of
heavily armed officers at the scene
responding to the attack.
Police and officials from Ruto’s office were
not available for immediate comment. The
incident comes some 10 days before Kenya’s
presidential, legislative and regional county
representative elections on Aug. 8. Ruto’s is
President Uhuru Kenyatta’s running mate.
Kenyatta is seeking a second and final term
in office.
The motive of the attack was unclear.
Typically the deputy president’s residences
are heavily guarded by an elite paramilitary
police unit.