Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has criticised Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah, accusing him of relying on state machinery to maintain political influence following the chaos that disrupted the opposition’s rally in Kikuyu.

In a statement on his X account on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Thang’wa claimed that Ichung’wah would be politically naked without the backing of what he termed as rogue police and political allies.

He insisted that public support remained firmly with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

“One thing is now clear: without rogue police and Kasongo, Ichung’wah is politically naked, stripped of any real support. He may have the police, but we have the people,” Thang’wa stated.

Blocked access to Kikuyu

This comes following the claims by Gachagua that he and his allies were met with police violence, including bullets and tear gas, in an attempt to block his entry into the area.

Gachagua dismissed the police actions, challenging local MP Kimani Ichung’wah, who Gachagua claimed had vowed to bar his rally in the constituency.

“Tumekuwa tukija hapa pamoja na akina Kalonzo na akina Matiang’i, lakini polisi wametuvamia kwa risasi na teargas. Hata hivyo, kwa sababu mimi ni mtoto wa Mau Mau, nimeamua lazima niingie Kikuyu,” Gachagua said.

Thang’wa condemned what he described as excessive use of force by police officers against residents who had turned out for the rally that the senator said he is popularly referred to by his supporters as the “People’s Deputy President”.

I strongly condemn the rogue police brutality meted out against the people of Kikuyu as they turned out to receive the People’s Deputy President, @rigathi,” Thang’wa stated.

Rally disruption

He also questioned Ichung’wah’s actions, saying that he had turned state security agencies against his own constituents.

Thang’wa claimed that police kept bothering and even using teargas to disrupt the rally.

“Ichung’wah, why unleash such force on the very people who elected you? Even after we had dispersed following teargas and live bullets, the police under your command continued to harass and shoot at innocent citizens,” Thang’wa said.

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) was on Saturday, April 11, 2026, teargassed in Kikuyu following a heavy standoff with police officers as the opposition team attempted to address a gathering of youth.

Police moved in to contain the situation, blocking key access roads into Kikuyu Town as Gachagua’s supporters remained defiant, chanting party slogans and demanding to be addressed by their leader.