Police were yesterday called in to separate two rival Narc factions in the Mathira Narc sub-branch, Nyeri District.

A faction associated with a Nairobi-based contractor, Mr Ephraim Maina of Kirinyaga Construction, had planned to open an office in the area when they were confronted by a rival group.

However, another group led by the local MP, Mr Nderitu Gachagua, stormed the venue and attempted to flush out their rivals, who included eight civic leaders.

Tension was high when the pro-Gachagua started hurling insults at their rivals, accusing them of having been bought by the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wing of the ruling coalition.

The rivals engaged each other in a 30-minute standoff before the police intervened and dispersed the pro-Gachagua group.

A brief meeting was held at the new office but the official opening was not done.

The pro-Gachagua group has an office in Karatina, which they claim is the bona fide Narc office.

Last week, Mr Gachagua was quoted in the press as saying he would not allow a "parallel office" in the area.

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