Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa has condemned the use of violence against opposition figures following an incident involving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Kirinyaga County.

In a statement shared on X on January 10, 2026, Wamalwa linked the events in Kirinyaga to broader concerns over the suppression of constitutionally protected freedoms.

Wamalwa referenced his political engagements in Machakos County while condemning the reported actions against Gachagua.

He wrote, “We made a stopover at Mitamboni and addressed excited residents of Machakos County who welcomed us with #WANTAM chants!

“Freedom of expression, movement, assembly, and association are constitutionally guaranteed rights for all Kenyans that do not depend on the generosity of the State, and any use of violence by the government against the opposition or any Kenyan, as happened to @rigathi yesterday in Kagio, to curtail enjoyment of the same, must be condemned by all people of goodwill!”

He stated that public enthusiasm witnessed during opposition activities reflects citizens exercising rights guaranteed under the Constitution, stressing that these freedoms are not subject to state approval.

Details of the Kirinyaga confrontation

The condemnation follows events reported on January 9, 2026, in Kirinyaga County, where Gachagua’s convoy was intercepted while heading to a public engagement in Kagio town.

In his account, Gachagua described the involvement of officers in civilian clothes and alleged misuse of police resources.

He stated, “Yesterday, 9th January 2026, in Kirinyaga County, a special squad of officers in civilian clothes arrived in Kirinyaga County and commandeered two police land cruisers from Baricho and Wang’uru police stations. The squad was under the command of an officer attached to the Murang’a women representative.”

Gachagua further alleged that the confrontation escalated into violence.

“The special squad, with the help of the county askaris, violently attacked my convoy with tear gas and live ammunition. They seriously injured one of our security personnel, damaged our vehicles and robbed our media team of their communication equipment. They stopped us from proceeding to Kagio town for a public engagement.”

Despite the disruption, Gachagua said his team used an alternative route and addressed supporters in Kagio.

Questions raised over police leadership

Following the incident, Gachagua questioned the leadership of the National Police Service and the role of political influence in security operations.

“Why have you surrendered the command of the National Police Service to politicians? Are you not embarrassed that the National Police Service has become the cause of insecurity in the country instead of providing security to citizens?”