Africa-Press – Kenya. Former Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Ambassador Macharia Kamau has ruled out any political motive in the attack on his home in Galu, Diani, Kwale County, terming it a purely criminal act.
In a video statement from Belgrade, Serbia—where he is attending a business conference on competitiveness in turbulent times—the former diplomat said the assault on his property had left him “deeply disturbed.”
Macharia, who previously served as Kenya’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, said the attackers broke into his home, destroyed property, and threw household items onto the road.
“This has been a traumatising event that has had a terrifying impact on my personnel,” he said.
“When they came in the morning, they overwhelmed my security because they were so many. In the process, they left my housekeeper terribly traumatised.”
Macharia described the intruders as “criminal elements, vandals, goons,” who he claimed were working at the behest of some “rogue” local businessmen who are keen on forcibly taking over the property, which he has owned for 24 years.
His lawyer, Njuguna Chuchu, told the Daily Nation that the attack was related to an ongoing land dispute before the Kwale Environment and Land Court, describing the act as contemptuous.
Macharia said reports he received indicated that the attackers had planned to demolish the house using a bulldozer, but neighbours rallied together and intervened to prevent further damage.
“They rallied too much support to help my staff, and they are the ones who helped stabilise the situation, but unfortunately, the damage has been done,” he said.
“What I do know is that it’s not politically motivated, but it’s clearly a criminal activity driven by the breakdown of law and order in the Ukunda area,” he added.
The former PS claimed that the assault on his home was part of a wider trend of deteriorating security in Ukunda and other parts of the Coast region.
He blamed elements within the local security apparatus of laxity and complicity, saying this had emboldened criminals to act with impunity.
“The police have been compromised,” he alleged, “and other local elements have decided to pursue whatever activities they wish to pursue to resolve whatever issues they have.”
Macharia said he had previously confronted some of the individuals involved, warning them against unlawful attempts to seize private property.
He thanked members of the local community, whom he described as friends and colleagues, for their swift intervention, which he said prevented total destruction of his home in his absence.
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