Tangatanga, Kieleweke youths clash as Ruto visits Nyeri

Drama erupted outside Giakanja High School when two rival youth groups clashed ahead of DP William Ruto's arrival in Nyeri for a church function.

Trouble started after a group of youths believed to be supporters of Tangatanga grabbed T-shirts from those believed to be from the Kieleweke faction of Jubilee.

The T-shirts had the inscriptions 'Uhuru's Bedroom' at the back and 'No 2022 Politics' in front.

 The T-shirts were later burnt by the youths and police moved in hastily to put off the fire.

DP Ruto was expected to visit Giakanja AIPCA church for a fundraiser in aid of the church.

There was tension at the school's gate as the two groups jeered at each other, forcing the police to order them away from the area.

Police had a hard time ejecting the youths from the scene after they vowed not to allow Kieleweke supporters into the venue of the meeting.

Police vowed to arrest anyone who would attempt to cause violence at the venue.

When the DP arrived aboard his chopper at around 4:07 PM, the Nyeri town MP was left seated on his chair as other elected leaders and church leaders went to meet him.

When time for speeches came, Nyeri women representative Rahab Mukami again invited the MP after all other visiting MPs had spoken but once again he declined and didn’t leave his seat.

Mukami went ahead to invite local MPs. Both visiting and Nyeri County MPs blasted the MP for going against the DP and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga saying he was behind the problems in Jubilee.

The leaders pledged support for the BBI.

 When DP Ruto stood to speak, he warned leaders against engaging in divisive politics and politics of chaos in what was seen as an attack directed to Wambugu.

He warned the MP that he would lose in the next election if he continues disrupting meetings and especially women meetings.

Ruto emphasized on the need of engaging in politics that will promote peace and harmony

“We want politics that will unite the country and that is why we agreed to stop politics of hatred, tribalism and division. We want politics that will unite us all as Kenyans,” he said.

He said politicians should focus their energies in building the nation saying all Jubilee leaders should refuse the politics of hate, violence and chaos.

The competion in the party should be about ideas, policies, programs that will take the Kenyan communities, counties and the country forward.

Wambugu has in the past been accused of disrupting Inua Mama meeting in Nyeri and a meeting attended by Agriculture CS Mwangi Kiunjuri.

He said everyone should support BBI and work as a team without retreating to political factions.

Others present included Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga and his deputy Caroline Karugu, MPs Aisha Jumwa (Malindi), Alice Wahome (Kandara),  Vincent Musau (Mwala), Moses Kuria (Gatundu South), Anthony Kiai (Mukurwe-ini), James Gichuhi (Tetu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Rahab Mukami (Nyeri women representative) and Nyeri speaker John Kaguchia.

Kuria told Wambugu to inform his colleague supporting the handshake that it is too late and that the plane has left the airport and that William Ruto will be in Statehouse in 2022.

“The game is over. The game is up. Just give it up. All those stories you have been cooking will amount to nothing. This people have decided and even if you brought Tsunami nothing will stop these people from the journey they have decided they are going themselves. It is over,” he said.

He told Wambugu intelligent people should know when to fight and when to give up.

But speaking to the Star on phone, Wambugu said he had been invited by the church for the Harambee but said those who went to meet the DP were his Tangatanga followers.

He said he also did not address the meeting as unlike the others, he had not gone there to do 2022 politics.

“I had been invited by the church for a Harambee and went there as the area MP. I was not there to play Tangatanga politics or to pledge loyalty to the DP,” he said.