DCP leader Rigathi GachaguaDCP leader Rigathi Gachagua’s much-anticipated return from the US ended in chaos after his convoy was violently disrupted along Mombasa Road, prematurely ending what was billed as a show of political might.
The anarchy scuttled the former DP’s plan to address supporters at the historic Kamukunji grounds—an event intended to cast Gachagua as the fulcrum of opposition politics.
The motorcade ran into trouble at Cabanas, where a group of stone-throwing youths suddenly emerged, targeting vehicles and supporters in the procession.
What had begun as a largely peaceful march quickly descended into chaos.
The attackers, who arrived in groups on boda bodas, appeared unusually coordinated for a spontaneous crowd, raising questions about whether the disruption was organised.
They hurled stones indiscriminately, damaging several vehicles, including those ferrying journalists.
Motorists and pedestrians were also caught in the melee, losing personal items such as mobile phones.
Police responded with teargas in a bid to disperse the groups and restore order, causing traffic on the busy highway to grind to a halt.
By press time, authorities had not disclosed who the attackers were or whether any arrests had been made.
The apprehension had been building as the DCP leader’s motorcade made its way to Kamukunji grounds, where he was scheduled to address supporters.
With tension spiralling out of control, Gachagua's security team advised him against proceeding with the plans.
The former DP’s team however managed to address supporters at Southern Bypass, framing the violence as part of a wider scheme by President William Ruto’s administration to intimidate opposition.
DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala, Edward Muriu (Gatanga), James Gakuya (Embakasi North) and Karungu Thang’wa (Kiambu), among others, were at JKIA to receive the ex DP.
The leaders accused the government of using goons to disrupt their procession.
Malala threatened to collect signatures to petition the United Nations to block Ruto’s scheduled address on human rights.
“We will mobilise ten million signatures to stop that address at Unga. He has no moral authority to address the world,” Malala said, vowing they would remain steadfast in defending the interests of Kenyans despite the excesses of Ruto’s administration.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu fired salvos at the head of state.
“Mr Ruto, we are the people who elected you and we wield the powers to send you home. If you are man enough, why are you using goons and sending police to teargas us?” Methu said.
“William Ruto, you have tested our resilience, but we are unbwogable, we are unbowed, we shall fight on until we deliver this country.”
Starehe MP Amos Mwago also condemned the actions.
“We want to tell the President to stop misusing the youths to cause chaos. Our leader Rigathi Gachagua is going to deliver this country,” Mwago said.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyuttu called on the international community to turn their attention to Kenya, arguing the events amount to gross abuse of human rights.
“We want to tell the international community that they are the only ones who can rescue Kenya from Ruto. As we speak, there is a helicopter going round coordinating goons,” Nyuttu said.
Gachagua’s arrival at JKIA was marked by heavy security deployment, signaling heightened political stakes around his homecoming.
Dozens of officers were stationed at key entry and exit points, with access to VIP areas tightly controlled as his allies mobilised supporters to welcome him.
A contingent of General Service Unit officers were at the primary screening area as early as 6 am.
Water cannons were also strategically positioned, highlighting the state’s preparedness in case of any disruptions.
The precautionary measures were taken to forestall any incidents—given the charged political climate following Gachagua’s recent remarks abroad—and growing unease within government ranks.
The elaborate security was also in anticipation of possible confrontations between supporters and law enforcement officers.
Gachagua’s supporters started accessing the airport early Thursday morning, as police kept a close watch on the swelling crowds.
Scores of youths chanting pro-opposition slogans were milling around the junction joining Mombasa Road.
Another group riding boda bodas arrived even as a police chopper hovered over the airport, patrolling the area.
A group of men and women dressed in black controlled the crowd.
Police were briefly tested when rowdy youths on boda bodas showed up at the airport shouting “tutam” (two-term), as they dispersed the sizeable crowd that had gathered to welcome the former deputy.
The officers however, responded swiftly and restored calm.
Hundreds of supporters lined the route, waving placards and chanting pro-Gachagua slogans as the motorcade left JKIA to the Kamukunji grounds.
As the former Deputy President’s convoy made its way to the city, the show of might underscored both his political weight and the tension his return has stirred within Kenya Kwanza’s delicate power balance.
Instant analysis
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua had been in the US for the last six weeks where he held meetings with Kenyans living in various states. The ex DP arrived minutes after 1 pm and his attempts to address supporters at the historic Kamukunji were thwarted by hostile youths which pelted his convoy with stones.
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