Moses Munene, a mechanic from Mutunduri, Manyatta constituency, was shot dead by police at Nembure Grounds during the UDA meeting in Embu /FamilyTension mounted in parts of Embu town following claims there were plans to arrest, harass and intimidate Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji.
This came a day after mechanic Moses Munene and footballer Mike Lewis were shot dead and six cars were burnt at an event attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire. Several other people were injured.
On Sunday, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua claimed hundreds of police officers had surrounded Mukunji’s home with orders to arrest him over violent clashes between police and citizens during a meeting in Nembure, Embu county, on Saturday. He further alleged that Kindiki had sent Mukunji a WhatsApp message threatening to deal with him following the incident.
Gachagua accused the Deputy President of attempting to frame Mukunji as having organised goons to disrupt the meeting, describing the alleged arrest as a cover-up.
“The harassment of Mukunji by Kindiki and Mbarire is unacceptable,” he said.
Gachagua also alleged the clashes were triggered by thousands of residents being locked out of Nembure Stadium, claiming the incident was linked to efforts to distribute campaign money to residents.
He said he had mobilised lawyers to defend Mukunji if he was arrested while attending church. “The arrest and persecution of Mukunji will only harden the resolve of our supporters and make his election as Embu Governor a foregone conclusion next year,” Gachagua said.
He urged Mukunji to remain strong and resist intimidation, while accusing the government of using the criminal justice system to target political opponents.
The statement follows clashes in Nembure during a meeting presided over by Deputy President Kindiki.
Police said officers repulsed a group that attempted to storm the meeting, arrested several suspects and safely evacuated the DP.
Police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga said many villagers attempted to storm the meeting, prompting officers to intervene and repel them.
“Upon the group’s unlawful attempt to breach the meeting, officers acted decisively and repulsed the assailants,” he said.
Nyaga confirmed that several residents were arrested at the scene, while the Deputy President was safely evacuated and order restored.
However, the incident left one person shot dead, six vehicles torched and several other people injured.
Nyaga said investigations had commenced to establish the full circumstances surrounding the violence, adding that authorities would pursue those found to have participated in the incident.
“Any individual found to have participated in this or any similar act of lawlessness will be pursued relentlessly. Stern action will be taken in accordance with the law. There will be no exceptions,” he said.
The police spokesman said the National Police Service remained committed to protecting life and property and would not be intimidated in the execution of its mandate.
He said further updates would be issued as investigations progressed and when it became operationally possible to do so. Officials said the chaos erupted after hundreds of youths attempted to gain access to the UDA meeting, which had been restricted to invited officials and other designated participants.
The restrictions left scores of youths outside the venue, triggering a confrontation with police.
Police officers fired teargas to disperse the crowds, while some youths hurled stones at police and into the stadium.
The confrontation later spread to surrounding areas, with several vehicles belonging to delegates reportedly set ablaze.
Sections of the Embu-Meru highway were also affected as groups of villagers allegedly barricaded the road and lit bonfires, prompting a heightened security response.
Inside the stadium, security officers and drivers were forced to move vehicles to safer areas as the confrontation continued.
Despite the disruption, Kindiki proceeded with his meeting with UDA grassroots leaders and used the occasion to call for political tolerance and peaceful competition.
Kindiki questioned why young people would be used to disrupt political meetings, warning that such actions could turn supporters against the politicians they were expected to support. The DP said political parties should be allowed to conduct their meetings peacefully, promising security for all political formations.
He also warned UDA supporters against being used to disrupt political gatherings, saying such actions would be detrimental to the nation.
DP Kindiki issued a statement on his social media accounts, tasking the party leadership in Embu to verify the nature of the loss and coordinate responses with those affected.
“The 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,” he stated.
“The party stands for issue-based politics and a contest around who or which party has a better development track record and policy goals for Kenya’s future, rather than forcing support through lies, violence, and useless slogans.”
“Our party leadership in Embu has been tasked with verifying the exact nature of the loss and/or damage, and to coordinate responses to stand in solidarity with all those adversely affected in one way or another.”
Instant analysis:
The Embu violence exposes deepening political rivalries ahead of the 2027 polls, with the state using law enforcement to enforce security while opposition figures decry political persecution. Tensions surrounding Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji's alleged harassment highlight how party grassroots mobilisation and crowd control can rapidly degenerate into lethal confrontations.
