Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua/HANDOUTFormer Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned Sunday’s attack on his allies, who he says were on a meet-the-people tour in Murang’a County.
The attack came after the allies had a confrontation with security officers at Ngonda Shopping Centre, in Murang’a, where police had laid a roadblock.
Gachagua blamed the state for sending the officers against leaders who are opposed to the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He termed it a cowardly act, even as he called for the immediate arrest of the officers involved.
The former DP warned the officers that no matter how long it takes, justice will eventually be served.
“By unleashing state-sponsored militia and rogue police on leaders who are not friendly to you today at Ngonda shopping Centre in Murang’a on a Sunday, a day of worship, is nothing short of cowardly and ungodly an act.
“I call for immediate arrest and arraignment of these criminals and police officers. I want to remind the police officers being misused that justice will be served no matter how long it takes,” Gachagua said.
At least three people were injured after police dispersed the group of politicians allied to the former Deputy President.
Machakos Town MP Victor Munyaka said he missed death by a whisker after police officers allegedly shot at his car.
Munyaka was among the group of MPs attending a church service at AIPCA Kahuro in Kamukabi area, Kigumo constituency.
“Luckily, the driver swerved and just then, three bullets rang into the air, going through my vehicle. I was a target, and I believe that was an attempted assassination. I don’t know why anybody would want to eliminate me,” he claimed.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu also emphasised that police officers used extreme force, saying he tried to engage the police officers to allow them to go home if they did not want them to address residents at Kamukabi shopping centre.
“They were trying to direct us to another road where more goons were waiting for us, and when I tried to engage them to let us go home, they lobbed teargas canisters at us,” Methu claimed.
“The damage that our vehicles incurred has not been seen before. The force used on us was overt.”
This comes a week after a similar incident, where Gachagua's allies were on tear-gassed and dispersed as they planned to hold a rally in Subukia in Nakuru on July 20.
They were led by the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) deputy party leader Cleophas Malala and Nyandarua Senator John Methu.
The leaders were initially blocked from holding a rally to address the residents when police erected roadblocks.
Police used tear gas to disperse the leaders and crowd, which had already built up.
After hours of frustration, the leaders managed to hold a rally in the town and addressed the residents.
