Chaos marked the homecoming of Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua on Thursday, August 21, 2025, with rival groups clashing violently along Mombasa Road.

The fracas, which temporarily halted Gachagua’s convoy en route from Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to Kamukunji Grounds, drew strong reactions from political leaders, among them Kirinyaga Women Representative Njeri Maina.

Speaking shortly after the violent confrontations, Maina accused President William Ruto’s administration of using hired goons to disrupt peaceful gatherings and targeting innocent youths under the guise of maintaining order.

“Mimi nataka niseme hivi, venye ametuma goons alafu anashika vijana ambao hawajafanya makosa. Mimi nimekuwa pale Kahawa Law Courts nikitetea Gen Z. Mimi nimesema ya kwamba nitakuwa lawyer wa Gen Z hadi tamati,” she declared.

Maina, an advocate, reiterated her commitment to standing with young Kenyans arrested during recent political protests and processions. She described herself as “the lawyer for Gen Z until the very end,” insisting that the state has been unfairly profiling youths whenever political tensions flare.

The Kirinyaga legislator also directed sharp criticism at President Ruto, branding him “a corrupt leader who labels others thieves while engaging in theft himself.”

“Niambie huyu William Ruto. Anasema watu ni wafisadi lakini yeye ni mfisadi kabisa. Anasema watu ni wezi na yeye ni mwizi kabisa,” Maina charged.

Chaos erupts

Her remarks came hours after Gachagua’s convoy was temporarily blocked by rival youth groups throwing stones near the Cabanas area. Witnesses reported that motorbike-riding youths barricaded parts of the road, forcing Gachagua to retreat into his vehicle for safety.

Despite the heavy police deployment, law enforcement officers were slow to contain the violence, only later attempting to intercept some of the groups involved. Traffic was paralysed on the busy highway, with motorists heading to and from JKIA forced to use alternative routes, including the Nairobi Expressway.

Gachagua, who returned from a prematurely ended four-week political tour of the United States, was received at JKIA by a sizeable entourage of DCP leaders and supporters. His deputy, Cleophas Malala, had earlier revealed that police had been formally notified of the planned procession from the airport to Kamukunji grounds.

At the airport, security concerns had already flared after a charged crowd of supporters thronged the arrival terminal, forcing Gachagua to briefly abandon attempts to wave from his car’s sunroof.