Rigathi Gachagua Fails to Address Supporters in Hyped Kamukunji Rally after Goons' Attack
- While announcing Rigathi Gachagua's itinerary on the day he returns to Kenya, DCP deputy leader Cleophas Malala said the former deputy president would address a rally in Kamukunji
- That didn't happen, as Gachagua directly headed to his home after the chaotic reception at the JKIA
- As his convoy made its way to the city centre through Mombasa Road, goons attacked it, with police launching tear gas to disperse crowds
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua was a no-show at Kamukunji grounds, where he had been slated to address his supporters after returning from the United States.
Source: Twitter
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) moments past noon on Thursday, August 21, and was received by his supporters who had camped there waiting for him.
Did Gachagua address his supporters in Kamukunji?
Cleophas Malala, Gachagua's deputy in DCP, had indicated that his boss would proceed with his procession from the JKIA headed to the Kamukunji grounds, where he would address a supposedly mammoth gathering signifying his grand return.
But this did not happen, as Gachagua left his convoy for his home after goons attacked him on Mombasa Road.
He didn't address any gathering all along, leaving it to his allies who fired shots at President William Ruto's regime at every stopover.
Was there plan to arrest Gachagua?
Meanwhile, supporters of Gachagua alleged that the government was prepared to act on its threat to detain him immediately upon his arrival at the JKIA.
According to their claims, around 100 police officers had been stationed at the airport with the intention of arresting him.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu claimed that loyalists of the former deputy president successfully intervened to prevent the arrest.
He expressed gratitude to those who remained vigilant and helped avert what he described as an imminent detention.
Malala echoed Methu’s remarks, affirming that their team was on high alert to counter any efforts aimed at apprehending Gachagua.
Their claims were, however, dismissed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who explained that no police jurisdiction around JKIA was commanded to deploy officers to arrest Gachagua.
Source: Twitter
Speaking in Nyeri, where he was presiding over the county's Jukwaa La Usalama meeting, the CS said there was no threat posed by Gachagua to warrant any command for heavy police deployment.
He stated that the officers at JKIA were undertaking their duties as is routine, and that they had not called for any reinforcement, hence dismissing the claims by Gachagua's loyalists as empty talk for political ends.
Why Murkomen hinted at Gachagua's arrest
Speaking during an empowerment programme graced by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Elgeyo Marakwet on August 9, Murkomen suggested Gachagua ought to be arrested and be made to provide formal statements regarding controversial claims he made about the president while abroad.
Gachagua had alleged that the president had previously interacted with members of the Somalia-based militant group al-Shabaab and had ties to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), raising questions about alleged illicit activities by the head of state.
Murkomen described the accusations as a threat to national security and insisted that Gachagua must be held responsible.
Meanwhile, Malala warned that detaining Gachagua could trigger widespread unrest, as his followers would not sit back and watch their leader being humiliated by the holders of state power.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
