Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned the chaos witnessed on Thursday at the launch of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens party (DCP).
According to Kindiki, violence and divisive utterances as a way of showing political differences have no place in Kenya.
He insisted that Kenyans must be tolerant of others and embrace issue-based politics at all times.
The DP added that leaders owe Kenyans and the future generation a country built on peaceful coexistence and respect.
“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 peace, peaceful coexistence and respect for one another even when we disagree on issues of policy,” Kindiki said.
His remarks followed an incident where rowdy goons stormed the venue of Gachagua’s launch along the Musa Gitau Road in Lavington, causing chaos.
The goons stormed the venue in an apparent plan to disrupt the event.
At the time, Gachagua had made his speech and even read the names of party officials.
Police officers who were on high alert quickly intervened and began shooting into the air to disperse the crowd, which had gathered to witness the former DP's exit.
Some of the goons who were cornered during the ensuing melee were assaulted even as party officials were whisked to safety.
Videos of the incident showed a person believed to be a police officer holding a gun and shooting in the air as the crowd rushed towards the gate.
During the occurrence, the former DP's fleet was forced to temporarily stop as the police intensified their efforts to quell the chaos. However, after about five minutes, the tensions subsided.
Police said they are investigating the incident.
