Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has denied allegations that he orchestrated the violence that disrupted a UDA mobilisation meeting addressed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nembure, Embu county.
Mukunji said the accusations were part of an attempt to silence him for speaking out on issues affecting residents of the region, including alleged police brutality and the regulation of muguka farming.
The MP rejected suggestions that he had the influence or capacity to organise the disruption, which left one person dead, several others injured and six vehicles torched.
“I cannot be an excuse for everything. At some point you have to wake up. You cannot be excusing yourself and blaming everything on Mukunji,” Mukunji said.
He questioned why security agencies would attribute the violence to him after the meeting had already descended into chaos.
“Security organs of the country are saying it was Mukunji. You had your meeting, you fought, tear gas was lobbed and then you say Mukunji is to blame. How powerful is Mukunji?” he asked.
Mukunji said he believed he had been singled out because of his willingness to stand with residents on politically sensitive issues.
“But I will tell you why they say it is me. It is because I stand with the people,” he said.
The legislator cited his opposition to the Finance Bill protests, his criticism of the abduction of young people and his position during the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as examples of his willingness to challenge the government.
“I stood with the people during the Finance Bill, when youth were being abducted, during the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
“I fear nothing; no one will intimidate me.”
The remarks came after violence erupted at Nembure Stadium in Manyatta Constituency during a UDA meeting convened to mobilise polling centre officials.
Kindiki was reportedly evacuated from the venue after the situation deteriorated, with police officers deploying tear gas as a group attempted to storm the meeting.
The National Police Service said one person was fatally injured while six vehicles were torched during the confrontation. Several other people were also injured as officers intervened to restore order.
In a statement issued after the incident, UDA said it regretted the loss and damage arising from the disruption of its meeting.
“The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party regrets the loss and/or damage brought about by those responsible for organising the youth to disrupt our party meeting in Nembure, Embu earlier today,” Kindiki said.
The Deputy President condemned the violence and called for those responsible to face action.
The National Police Service also said officers were forced to intervene after a group attempted to breach the meeting.
NPS spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, in a statement issued by police headquarters, said officers acted to restore order after the group attempted to storm the gathering.
