NAIROBI, Kenya — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has broken his silence following Thursday’s chaotic scenes at the launch of Rigathi Gachagua’s new political party, calling for restraint and a return to issue-based politics.
In a statement shared on X, Kindiki condemned the violence witnessed at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) event in Lavington, Nairobi, urging leaders and their supporters to uphold democratic values.
“Our country must exercise democratic tolerance and embrace issue-based politics. Insults, violence, and divisive rhetoric as a means of processing political differences of opinion have no place in our society,” said the DP.
Our country must exercise democratic tolerance and embrace issue-based politics. Insults, violence and divisive rhetoric as a means of processing political differences of opinion have no place in our society. We owe to the current and future generations a nation built on
Kindiki’s remarks come just hours after suspected goons stormed Gachagua’s event on Musa Gitau Road in what appeared to be a calculated attempt to disrupt the former deputy president’s unveiling of the DCP—a party he has been quietly assembling for months.
The incident unfolded shortly after Gachagua had delivered his keynote speech and unveiled the party’s leadership.
Police officers on the scene fired shots into the air to disperse the attackers, with chaotic scenes captured in several videos circulating online.
Some of the intruders were cornered and reportedly assaulted during the melee, as party officials were hurriedly escorted out.
Gachagua’s convoy was also briefly stalled amid the commotion but eventually left safely once police restored order.
Shots Fired as Goons Stage An Attack at Gachagua’s Party Event ynews.digital/newsflash/shot…
The former DP later confirmed that the Democracy for Citizens Party had been under development for the past six months through grassroots consultations at his home.
He said the new party aims to provide a “people-first” alternative focused on governance reform, justice, and economic equity.
Kindiki, without directly referencing Gachagua or the DCP, stressed the importance of peaceful political competition.
“We owe to the current and future generations a nation built on peace, peaceful coexistence and respect for one another even when we disagree on issues of policy,” his statement added.
Police say investigations into the attempted disruption are ongoing.
Preliminary findings indicate the chaos was sparked by a group of hired goons, though no arrests had been confirmed at the time of reporting.
The DCP’s emergence—marked by a logo of a hand to an ear and the slogan Kazi na Haki (Work and Justice)—adds a new wrinkle to Kenya’s rapidly shifting political terrain ahead of the 2027 general election.
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