Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s convoy has been pelted with stones by suspected goons near Imara Daima on Mombasa Road.
Photos seen by Samrack showed the extensive damage inflicted on unsuspecting motorists caught in the melee as Gachagua’s motorcade snaked by on its way to Kamukunji Grounds, Nairobi.
Gachagua had earlier been warmly welcomed by hundreds of supporters at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) upon arrival from the United States amid a brief standoff between his Democracy for Citizens’ Party (DCP) followers and the police.
During his US tour, Gachagua galvanised support for his party, DCP, and accused the government of spearheading human rights atrocities during the Gen Z protests.
Gachagua further claimed that President William Ruto financed Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and met secretly with three Al-Shabaab leaders in Mandera to, among others, facilitate negotiations for the release of abducted chiefs through the militants’ intermediaries.
On Tuesday, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen downplayed Gachagua’s arrival but warned that security agencies are adequately prepared to deal with any insecurity issues that arise during the former DP’s arrival.
“We are very prepared. At all times, the NPS is prepared to protect citizens and their property. We are aware of those elements threatening disruption, threatening the ongoing football tournament among other activities,” he said.
The CS had also demanded that Gachagua record a formal statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) upon his return to Kenya from the US tour, following Gachagua’s allegations linking President William Ruto to meetings with Al-Shabaab militants.
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala, who had earlier warned that it would be unwise for the security agencies to arrest his party leader upon Gachagua’s arrival at this football season, said they plan to hold a procession to welcome him to the country.
“We have organised a majestic reception for the king. There is nowhere in the borders of our constitution that gives the CS the mandate to permit us to assemble. The only requirement is to notify them of such meetings. Three days ago, we notified the IG, all the officers commanding police stations that we shall be having a peaceful procession from JKIA to CBD to Kamukunji, and therefore, we do not need Murkomen’s permission to assemble,” said Malala.
