A Kiambu politician was shot dead inside his car in Limuru town at dawn on Saturday after meeting friends at a club.

William Mwangi lost Jubilee Party primaries for the Lari Kirenga ward representative race.

It is said Mwangi was shot at close range when he left Club U-Turn at about 3am. Detectives said the building and construction engineer was shot twice in the head and on his hand.

It was alleged that a police officer had confronted him and his friends while they had drinks after watching football matches in the club.

Kiambu politician William Mwangi who was shot and killed after leaving Club U-Turn in Limuru town on August 26, 2017. /GEORGE MUGO

Bar manager George Karuga confirmed this, saying the officer was left with a face injury.

Karuga said bouncers intervened and took the officer out of the establishment whose door they locked.

One of Mwangi's friends, who did not want to be named, said the policeman had demanded to have a free beer at their table but that they declined to let him join them.

“The problem started when the gentleman demanded to drink a bottle of beer but we asked him to pay for it. He asked us if we knew who he was and told him Kenya is a free country guarded by law. We didn’t know he was an officer."

The friend said he met the officer in a corridor while he was leaving the club. He said he asked Mwangi and the others to leave too after getting suspicious.

As he drove off, he said, he heard gun shots.

“I drove off but I was called by one of our friends who told me Mwangi has been shot dead. I drove back."

Kiambu residents outside Club U-Turn in Limuru town where Jubilee politician William Mwangi was shot dead, August 26, 2017. /GEORGE MUGO

Mwenda Itheiba, DCI in charge of Limuru, said they arrested the officer.

“The officer is in custody to help us with investigations," he said at the scene.

Mwangi did not quit Jubilee after losing the nominations and supported MCA-elect Joseph Karichu who won the primaries and the election.

Karichu, who visited the scene, described the murder as disturbing and shocking.

“We have lost a strong debater, a jovial and very active person. His death is disturbing."

Mwangi’s father Kimani Karago said the news shocked the family and urged the society to pray for them.

“We were sleeping when I received the call. It felt like a bad dream. Everyone woke up. It is a difficult situation."

Police took the body to Uplands Funeral Home where an autopsy will be conducted.