Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused unnamed persons in government of trying to physically harm him after violence erupted at a funeral he was attending in Limuru, Kiambu County.
Several mourners were injured in the incident while his personal car was stoned, leaving the venue with a broken rear screen.
"Those hired goons were after me. The huge rock that smashed the window of my car was aimed at me. I was lucky I was not hit," Mr Gachagua told Nation.Africa in an exclusive interview after the chaos.
He reckons the incident was aimed at intimidating him, while pointing an accusing finger at unnamed government operatives.
"This is a desperate scheme by those we have issues with in 2027...to intimidate me from engaging my people, having a dialogue with Kenyans and participating in efforts to make sure we redeem this country," Mr Gachagua, who was hounded out of office by way of impeachment in October, said.
Contacted to comment on Mr Gachagua's claims, National Police Service spokesperson Dr Resila Onyango did not pick our calls or respond to our text messages.
Likewise, government spokesman Isaac Mwaura did not pick our calls or respond to texts.
However, Kiambu County Police Commander Michael Muchiri said the incident is being investigated.
"We are looking into the issue. We will be in a position to report officially after we gather more information regarding the incident," he said.
How chaos erupted
The former deputy president had not addressed the mourners when rowdy youths struck, first attempting to bring down the tent under which the former DP was seated.
They were attending the burial ceremony of Erastus Nduati, 23, at Bibirioni village in Limuru Constituency.
Former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi was preparing for political addresses when his microphone went off and chaos erupted.
Earlier, during the mass, youths had twice attempted to disrupt the function but the clergy kept the peace. It was when Mr Mwathi started disparaging those opposed to Mr Gachagua that things fell apart.
"The people's Deputy "resident Mr Gachagua should not shy away from addressing us in mother tongue since even the president himself recently spoke mother tongue when he toured his backyard," he said.
He had started mentioning Gachagua’s political strategy for 2027 when someone switched off the public address system.
Shortly after, a group of youths rushed to the tent where Mr Gachagua was seated and dismantled it. His security swiftly shielded him and led him to his vehicle which sped off.
Other dignitaries who were caught up in the melee were host MP John Kiragu, Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa, Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, Kajiado Senator Seki Lenku and several Members of County Assemblies.
Blame game
Gachagua’s allies immediately blamed the violence on President William Ruto's loyalists.
"This is a well-planned attack that was hatched last Sunday by well-known people. The target is Mr Gachagua. Their masters in government started by withdrawing Gachagua’s security to make him vulnerable,” Mr Thang'wa said.
"Those desperados want to make it appear like there is tension in Mt Kenya region when all there is are individuals who have lost favour with the ground...they are now trying to bar Gachagua from influencing voters," he added.
In recent weeks, President Ruto and his loyalists have met hostile reception at some public functions in Mt Kenya region. President Ruto himself was recently jeered by a hostile crowd when he visited Embu County.
The hostilities started building up following Mr Gachagua’s impeachment and the subsequent appointment of Prof Kithure Kindiki as the Deputy President.
