Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned an attempt to disrupt a thanksgiving service in Ndaragwa Constituency, Nyandarua County.

Speaking on Saturday, December 28, 2024, Gachagua pointed an accusing finger at individuals who he did not immediately mention their names, for trying to scuttle the meeting.

Gachagua claimed that a teargas canister was lobbed to try and disperse the crowd at Shamatta, Nyandarua County for that Thanksgiving service.

However, he condemned the incident announcing that most of Mt Kenya residents had cut ties with the ruling party United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

“Ata mkiharibu mikutano, ata mkituma vijana, ata mkikuja na teargas, hawa watu wote walitoka kwa UDA. Sasa ni wakati mnapoteza (Even if you try to disrupt the meetings, send youth or even come with teargas, these people already left UDA. At the moment, you are just wasting your time),” Gachagua stated.

Other leaders present at the event including Senator Methu Muhiu also condemned the incident.

By the time of this publication, the National Police Service (NPS) had not issued a statement regarding Gachagua’s claims of attempts to disrupt the Nyandarua meeting.

Limuru incident

The latest claims by the former deputy president come a month after he encountered a similar incident while attending a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County.
 

Mourners scampered to safety as the rowdy group emerged from behind the tent where Gachagua and other leaders were seated, forcing them to flee.

Videos posted on X show the invading party throwing plastic chairs at escaping groups of people.

In an interview with a local TV station, Gachagua claimed that the attack was an attempt on his life.

“Then, a group of heavily built men, some wearing hoods and others masked, approached the VIP tent. They tore down the tent and removed the metal barriers supporting it. Some were armed with stones, others with sticks, and they charged toward me viciously. It was at that moment we realized we were in trouble,” Gachagua said.

“I was taken to the backseat of my car, where I lay flat, with my bodyguards on top of me. These attackers, armed with iron bars, were searching for me. They struck one of my bodyguards in the head; he is still in the hospital. Meanwhile, others were throwing stones at the car,” he added.