Kioni: Gachagua’s recent attack on Linda Mwananchi was uncalled for
By Mabonga Makhanu, July 13, 2026Former Ndaragwa MP Jeremiah Kioni has termed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent attack on members of the Linda Mwananchi movement as totally uncalled for.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Monday, July 13, 2026, the outspoken former lawmaker warned the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader against addressing leaders from other political parties in a manner that suggests they do not have a right to express their views or participate in national politics.
“Rigathi Gachagua’s take on the Linda Mwananchi was totally uncalled for. This space is for all of us in our region; we should stop demeaning other leaders as if they have no opinion.”
Kioni also took issue with Gachagua’s warning to the Linda Mwananchi team against stepping into Ol Kalou. He argued that the region is open to all Kenyans and should not be treated as the political preserve of any individual leader.
Kioni’s remarks come after Gachagua warned the Linda Mwananchi team, led by Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata, against travelling to Ol Kalou to campaign for the opposition’s preferred candidate in the by-election.
Gachagua’s remarks
Gachagua argued that politics in Ol Kalou is a local affair and should be left to leaders on the ground, saying the campaigns were already being coordinated by Nyandarua Senator John Methu. He also questioned why the Linda Mwananchi movement had remained absent throughout most of the campaign period, only to emerge at the last minute seeking to campaign for the opposition candidate.
Following Gachagua’s remarks, the Linda Mwananchi team cancelled its planned rally in Ol Kalou and instead held its political engagement in Nyahururu Town.
However, the Nyahururu rally was disrupted after a group of suspected goons attacked the convoy. Several vehicles belonging to Linda Mwananchi leaders were vandalised, while Governor Kang’ata’s driver was shot with a rubber bullet during the chaos.
Nelson Koech blames Gachagua.
Speaking during an interview with a local media station on Monday, July 13, 2026, the outspoken legislator, who also chairs the National Assembly’s Departmental Committee on Defence, Intelligence and Foreign Relations, linked the violence to Gachagua’s recent warning to Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata against setting foot in Ol Kalou during the by-election campaigns.
Attack on Linda Mwananchi
According to Koech, Gachagua’s remarks created the impression that Kang’ata was unwelcome in the area, making him the main target during the attack.
The MP questioned why Kang’ata appeared to bear the brunt of the violence, noting that the governor’s convoy was stoned and that his driver was shot with a rubber bullet. Koech argued that the incident should be viewed in the context of Gachagua’s earlier warning.