NAIROBI, Kenya- DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire of using the police to intimidate Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji following violent clashes in Embu that claimed two lives and left 6 cars destroyed.
Gachagua said hundreds of police officers had surrounded Mukunji’s home with instructions to arrest him over the confrontation between residents and police officers during a political event on Saturday.
“The harassment of Hon. Gitonga Mukunji by Kithure Kindiki and Cecily Mbarire is unacceptable,” Gachagua said in a statement.
He further accused Kindiki of sending Mukunji a WhatsApp message threatening to “deal with him” after the incident. Gachagua did not provide a copy of the message in his statement.
According to the DCP leader, authorities were attempting to link Mukunji to individuals who disrupted the gathering at Nembure Stadium.
Gachagua rejected that account, arguing that the clashes began after thousands of residents were prevented from entering the stadium.
“Mr. Kithure Kindiki wants to use police to frame Hon. Mukunji as having sent goons to disrupt the meeting,” he said.
Gachagua also alleged that money had been distributed to mobilise residents in Embu and other parts of Mt Kenya East. He advised President William Ruto to stop spending resources on political mobilisation in the Mt Kenya region, saying the strategy would not influence voters.
“My advice to Mr. William Ruto is to take his money elsewhere, as any money spent in the mountain is of no consequence, just as it happened in Ol Kalou,” he said.
The former deputy president said he had mobilised lawyers to represent Mukunji if the lawmaker was arrested. He indicated that Mukunji planned to attend church despite the reported police operation.
Gachagua argued that arresting the MP would strengthen his political support and improve his prospects in the 2027 Embu gubernatorial contest.
“The arrest and persecution of Hon. Mukunji will only harden the resolve of our supporters and make his election as Embu Governor a foregone conclusion next year,” he said.
He encouraged Mukunji not to give in to intimidation and praised residents for what he described as resisting efforts to divide the Mt Kenya region.
“The Mountain is one! The future is Green,” Gachagua concluded.
