Salasya returns to thank Timau residents after motorcade attack

Mumias East Member of Parliament Peter Salasya has voiced gratitude to the people of Timau in Meru County for their support following a dramatic ambush on his convoy.

The incident, which occurred on May 16, 2025, along the Isiolo-Nanyuki road, saw unidentified armed men attack Salasya’s motorcade, shoot at his vehicle, and disarm his security team.

The MP, a vocal 2027 presidential hopeful, described the ordeal as a serious threat to his life. In a recent post on X on May 21, 2025, Salasya thanked the Timau community for standing in solidarity with his movement.

“Due to public demand from Timau people in Meru County, where I was ambushed and my motorcade was shot, I couldn’t proceed without coming to appreciate them,” he wrote.

Embattled MP

The ambush followed a series of controversial incidents involving Salasya. Just days earlier, in May 2025, he narrowly escaped an arrest attempt at a hotel in Mombasa. Earlier in the year, Salasya faced other public altercations.

In March 2025, he was beaten and chased out of Nyayo Stadium by a crowd during a football match. The incident drew condemnation from leaders like Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who termed it an act of political intolerance.

Additionally, in March 2025, reports surfaced of Salasya being assaulted at a Nairobi bar. His recent tours across Meru, Isiolo, and other counties aim to rally support for his presidential bid.

Presidential ambitions

Salasya announced his intention to run for president in April 2025, joining a growing list of aspirants. His campaign focuses on industrial growth, economic empowerment, social justice, and appealing to younger voters through initiatives like a proposed Gen Z Advisory Council.

In a detailed statement shared on his social media channels on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, Salasya emphasised the importance of the region’s specific economic activities, including tea and coffee farming in Nyeri, rice cultivation in Kirinyaga, avocado farming in Murang’a, and dairy production in Kiambu.

The vocal lawmaker also highlighted the significance of horticulture in Laikipia, miraa trade in Meru and Embu, and livestock farming in Tharaka Nithi. Salasya’s presidential bid is rooted in his self-described principles and grassroots appeal.

In a May 2, 2025, X post, he reflected on his journey: “When I used to walk on motorbikes with nothing but insisted I can be an MP, many thought I was a mad man.”

He credits his 2022 victory to his determination.