NAIROBI, Kenya — Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua was teargassed in Kikuyu town on Saturday after a planned address to supporters descended into chaos following a standoff with police.
Anti-riot officers lobbed teargas canisters to disperse a crowd of youth who had gathered to hear Gachagua speak, sparking running battles between sections of supporters and security personnel. Witnesses reported that police also fired shots into the air as tensions escalated in the town centre.
The situation worsened after an unidentified individual reportedly entered the rally carrying a sack of bees, triggering panic among attendees. In the ensuing commotion, the individual was allegedly stabbed and seriously injured, while several people were said to have been trampled as crowds fled the teargas.
Police blocked key access roads into Kikuyu as supporters remained defiant, chanting slogans and demanding that the former deputy president be allowed to address them. Gachagua was seen urging his supporters to remain calm and use water to ease the effects of teargas.
In a statement, Gachagua accused President William Ruto and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah of using state power to intimidate opponents.
“The use of police, live ammunition and teargas cannot stop an idea whose time has come,” he said, thanking residents of Kikuyu for what he described as resilience despite the confrontation.
Gachagua further claimed that the unrest was part of a broader scheme to suppress dissent, alleging the involvement of organised groups working alongside security agencies.
He also linked disruptions earlier on the Southern Bypass, where traffic was paralysed after individuals reportedly blocked the road and demanded money from motorists, to the same tensions.
“Put out the teargas. It is very unfortunate that Mr Ichung’wah, you are sending police and goons to come and harm your very own people,” Gachagua said during the confrontation.
The former deputy president also alleged that criminal gangs were increasingly being deployed to intimidate political opponents, claims that could not be independently verified. He further criticised the government’s security approach, arguing that political competition should be conducted peacefully.
