NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lashed out at President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of intimidation and misuse of police forces following a chaotic incident at a thanksgiving event in Nyandarua County.
The event, held in honor of Shamata Ward MCA Gitau Njamba, turned violent when a teargas canister was thrown into the VIP tent, causing panic and disrupting the gathering.
The dramatic scenes unfolded as Nyandarua Senator John Methu was addressing attendees.
The suspect, allegedly a police officer in plain clothes, was quickly apprehended by the crowd, who reportedly restrained him until uniformed officers intervened.
Despite attempts by police to manage the situation, they were overwhelmed by angry locals, who chased them from the venue.
In the aftermath, Gachagua took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the attack, accusing the police of being complicit in political intimidation.
“Today at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua, scores of police officers were deployed purportedly to provide security. However, without provocation, a uniformed Inspector of Police handed a teargas canister to an officer in plain clothes to throw into the VIP tent, causing panic and commotion,” he wrote.
Gachagua praised the resilience of attendees, who ensured the prayers continued despite the disruption.
He commended the local community for maintaining order and protecting vulnerable groups, including women and children, amidst the chaos.
This incident is the latest in what Gachagua claims is a pattern of police misconduct.
He referenced a previous attack at a funeral in Limuru, where mourners were assaulted by a group allegedly supported by police.
“Despite the pictures of the attackers being splashed all over, not a single criminal has been arrested to date,” he noted.
In a rebuke to President Ruto, Gachagua declared, “No amount of intimidation or violence will stop the Kenyan people from criticizing you, demanding good governance and accountability, or asking you to respect democracy and the rule of law.”
The accusations add to mounting criticism of the National Police Service, which has been accused of political interference and human rights violations, including alleged extrajudicial killings.
Gachagua urged police officers to resist being used as political tools, saying their actions were bringing shame to the force.
The event, held in honor of Shamata Ward MCA Gitau Njamba, turned violent when a teargas canister was thrown into the VIP tent, causing panic and disrupting the gathering.
The dramatic scenes unfolded as Nyandarua Senator John Methu was addressing attendees.
The suspect, allegedly a police officer in plain clothes, was quickly apprehended by the crowd, who reportedly restrained him until uniformed officers intervened.
Despite attempts by police to manage the situation, they were overwhelmed by angry locals, who chased them from the venue.
In the aftermath, Gachagua took to X (formerly Twitter) to condemn the attack, accusing the police of being complicit in political intimidation.
“Today at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua, scores of police officers were deployed purportedly to provide security. However, without provocation, a uniformed Inspector of Police handed a teargas canister to an officer in plain clothes to throw into the VIP tent, causing panic and commotion,” he wrote.
Gachagua praised the resilience of attendees, who ensured the prayers continued despite the disruption.
He commended the local community for maintaining order and protecting vulnerable groups, including women and children, amidst the chaos.
This incident is the latest in what Gachagua claims is a pattern of police misconduct.
He referenced a previous attack at a funeral in Limuru, where mourners were assaulted by a group allegedly supported by police.
“Despite the pictures of the attackers being splashed all over, not a single criminal has been arrested to date,” he noted.
In a rebuke to President Ruto, Gachagua declared, “No amount of intimidation or violence will stop the Kenyan people from criticizing you, demanding good governance and accountability, or asking you to respect democracy and the rule of law.”
The accusations add to mounting criticism of the National Police Service, which has been accused of political interference and human rights violations, including alleged extrajudicial killings.
Gachagua urged police officers to resist being used as political tools, saying their actions were bringing shame to the force.
