Tensions flared on Mombasa Road on August 21, 2025, after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s convoy was attacked by goons, forcing police to intervene with tear gas to disperse crowds.

The incident, which disrupted traffic along the busy highway, unfolded shortly after Gachagua’s return from a six-week political tour of the United States.

Violence

Trouble deepened along Mombasa Road when unidentified goons hurled stones at vehicles in Gachagua’s convoy, shattering windscreens and sparking panic among motorists. The attack triggered traffic disruptions that left commuters stranded as security officers struggled to regain order.

Police responded by lobbing tear gas canisters to scatter the rowdy groups, further intensifying the confrontation. The heavy security presence did little to ease concerns, as rival groups clashed amid accusations of hired goons being used to disrupt the reception.

DCP leaders had earlier on condemned the attack, accusing state agencies of orchestrating violence to frustrate Gachagua’s political activities. They maintained that the events were a calculated attempt to silence dissenting voices ahead of crucial by-elections.

Chaotic welcome

Hundreds of Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP) supporters had thronged Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to receive Gachagua, waving placards and chanting slogans in his favour. What began as a peaceful gathering quickly descended into chaos after police blocked access, citing security concerns and the absence of a permit for the assembly.

The standoff escalated into scuffles as officers formed barricades while supporters resisted attempts to disperse them. The tense scenes at the airport set the stage for a volatile journey into the city as Gachagua made his way towards Nairobi.

Tension ahead of 2027

Gachagua had cut short his U.S. tour to return home in time for the by-elections, a move viewed as part of a wider strategy to consolidate the DCP’s foothold ahead of the 2027 general election. His engagements abroad included meetings with diaspora groups and investors, which he described as efforts to broaden his political and economic networks.

However, the violent scenes that greeted him have cast a shadow over his homecoming, exposing the deepening rifts between his allies and the government. The incident has raised fears of escalating political tensions as Kenya edges closer to a heated election season.

Despite the chaos, DCP leaders have vowed to press on with their political agenda, insisting they will not be intimidated by what they termed as state-sanctioned intimidation.

The Mombasa Road confrontation adds to a growing list of flash points in the country’s political arena, highlighting both the stakes and volatility of the 2027 contest.