Former senator Lenny Kivuti address the press after the incident/SCREENGRAB
Former Embu senator Lenny Kivuti has condemned violence and goonism following chaos at Nemburi Grounds in Manyatta Constituency, where a meeting organised by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire was disrupted.
Kivuti said it was unfortunate that people were reportedly losing their lives in what should have been a peaceful political gathering, urging leaders and residents to reject violence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“I would like to make a statement about the information we are getting about the incident at Nemburi Grounds where people are losing their lives in a local setting. It is very unfortunate,” Kivuti said.
He spoke after a meeting with women leaders in Manyatta, Embu, where he called for political differences to be handled without violence.
Although condemning the alleged use of organised groups to disrupt political meetings, Kivuti said no political leader should be targeted regardless of their political affiliation.
“Although we denounce goonism, it is very bad if some organised groups go to disrupt a meeting. It does not matter whether the meeting is mine or whoever candidate or any organised group,” he said.
Kivuti said Embu residents had repeatedly expressed their opposition to political violence and should not allow the county to become a battleground for competing political interests.
“We have continually said we don't want violence in our county. Mambo yoyote ya ukora, goonism hatutaki, Embu hatutaki,” he said.
The remarks came after police were forced to use tear gas to disperse a crowd attending the meeting at Nemburi Grounds.
Several vehicles were reportedly damaged during the confrontation, while there were also reports that some people may have lost their lives.
However, the number of possible casualties had not been independently verified at the time of reporting.
The disruption adds to growing political tensions in Embu as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with political meetings increasingly becoming platforms for competing factions to mobilise supporters.
Kivuti urged residents to maintain peace and allow political leaders and their supporters to conduct their activities without resorting to violence.
His remarks also come against the backdrop of heightened political mobilisation across the country, with leaders holding public meetings and rallies as they begin laying the groundwork for the next election.
The former senator said political competition should not be allowed to undermine peace in Embu, warning against individuals or groups using violence to settle political differences.
He maintained that the county belongs to all its residents and that political disagreements should be resolved through democratic processes rather than confrontation.
