Tempers Flare Up in Embu as Cecily Mbarire Dares Gachagua to Face Her: "We're Tired of You"
- Embu was one of the counties in the country that were marred with violence during the Wednesday, June 25, protests
- Speaking during a press conference, Governor Cecily Mbarire accused former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua of being behind the chaos
- She explained how Gachagua allegedly worked with local politicians to cause unrest during the protests that were supposed to be peaceful
Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya
A tense moment was witnessed in Embu county after Governor Cecily Mbarire slammed former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of inciting unrest in the region.
Source: Facebook
Speaking on Thursday, June 26, Mbarire claimed Gachagua worked with some Embu politicians to hire goons to destroy properties during the Gen Z protests.
She further dared the former deputy president to face her, insisting that she would not allow herself to be intimidated.
"I don't care how strong you may be. I will not stay silent, Rigathi Gachagua. Kama wewe ni Mungu, take my life today. The worst that can happen is for me to die, and you only die once. You cannot turn Embu into a battlefield. You cannot claim to love the people of Embu and punish them at the same time," Mbarire stated.
Did Gachagua cause unrest in Embu?
According to Mbarire, she received credible information that linked Gachagua to the violent demonstration in Embu on Wednesday, June 25.
She claimed that protests led to the looting and destruction of businesses that acted as a source of livelihood to residents.
"The supermarket that was destroyed yesterday had employed Embu residents. Who is suffering now? Is it your children or those who have lost their jobs today?" Mbarire questioned.
Is MP Mukunji working with Gachagua?
At the same time, Mbarire accused Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mukunji of working as Gachagua's proxy.
She stated that the ex-DP was only using Mukunji for his political gain.
"Then you come here and use local leaders. Umechukua Mukunji, yeye ndiye anapanga hii mambo yote. Let him not threaten me. I want to tell Mukunji that you've only been in politics for three years. I have been in politics for 23 years, and I want to tell you the path you've taken will lead to self-destruction," she said.
Gachagua accuses state of hiring goons
In a separate incident, Gachagua accused the Kenya Kwanza government of hiring goons who infiltrated the Gen Z protests.
He claimed that police officers had blocked Gen Z from accessing the Nairobi Central Business District and allowed goons who caused chaos and looted businesses.
Source: Getty Images
The former Mathira MP stated that the state intentionally switched off media stations' signals in a scheme to allow state-sponsored goons to steal from Kenyans under protection from police protection.
Gachagua dismissed reports that youth were paid to demonstrate against President William Ruto's Kenya Kwanza administration.
He argued that Kenyans protested because the government failed to fulfil the promises made to them.
The former country's second in command slammed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for visiting businesses affected by protests. He argued that the move was meant to mislead Kenyans.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
