Ichung’wah links Kikuyu chaos to Gachagua

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National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over violent clashes in Kikuyu during his tour.

Describing the unrest as organised and deliberate, Ichung’wah said the situation was not spontaneous but bore the hallmarks of coordinated political attacks.

‎“It is not random chaos,” he said.

"In fact, it bore the hallmarks of similar coordinated political attacks seen when political interests overtook what had previously been peaceful protests in some cases."

Ichung’wah claimed that Gachagua was linked to the planning of the violence, alleging he had spent the last week setting the stage to intimidate residents into supporting his political agenda.

He further alleged that the former DP was pursuing what he termed a vengeance mission of insults and ethnic propaganda.

Police were at one point required to use teargas to disperse rowdy groups as tensions flared during the incident.

Witnesses said groups of youths engaged in running battles, prompting a swift response from security agencies.

Ichung’wah questioned Gachagua’s motives, "Why does violence follow him wherever he goes? Why can’t he visit peacefully and address the people of Kikuyu like former CJ Maraga did recently, he posed.

The Majority Leader called on authorities to act swiftly, urging the Inspector General of Police to launch immediate investigations into those involved.

"No one, including Gachagua, is above accountability or above the law," he said.

"Any leader who thinks they can be linked to this kind of violence and avoid consequences is clearly mistaken."

He also issued a stern warning to individuals he alleged were involved in the situation, saying they had crossed a dangerous line and would face the full force of the law.

To those he claimed were being used to orchestrate the violence under the impression of political protection, you are individuals who should be dealt with according to the law applicable.

At the same time, he appealed for calm among residents, urging them not to be provoked.

"Do not be intimidated. Do not be silenced, stand firm but remain peaceful and law-abiding," he said. "Kikuyu will not be reduced to a playground for political violence."

Gachagua, who was accompanied by several opposition leaders, had earlier held a rally in Gitaru.

In his response, he struck a more measured tone, framing the events as part of a broader political awakening and defending his engagement with residents.

In a post on his social media pages, Gachagua suggested that the use of police force, including teargas, would not deter what he described as a growing movement for change.

"The use of police, live ammunition and teargas cannot stop an idea whose time has come. Thank you, the great people of Kikuyu, for your bravery, courage and resilience. You have proven you cannot be intimidated by Ichung'wa by whatever means, and you made hard decisions about 2027," he said.