Senator Thang’wa to police on Gachagua funeral attack: You have no reason to summon me

Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa on Friday snubbed summons requiring him to appear before the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) offices in Nyeri.

The summons followed chaos at a funeral in Limuru, Kiambu County, where an irate mob disrupted proceedings and attacked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The senator, a close ally of Mr Gachagua, had been summoned to the Regional Criminal Investigations Office in Nyeri to provide information about the November 28 incident, which took place at Bibirioni Boys High School Playground.

In a statement issued on the same day, the DCI said that the investigation centered on allegations of malicious damage to property and injuries caused during the fracas.

In the letter by Joseph Chirchir, a police officer attached to the DCI Limuru, Senator Thang'wa was said to have information critical to the ongoing probe.

“I have reason to believe that you, Senator Paul Karungo wa Thang’wa, have information that will assist me with my investigations. I require you to appear before the Regional Criminal Investigations Officer (CCIO) Nyeri on November 29 at 10:00 am without fail,” the statement read.

However, in a letter on Friday, the senator through his lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, dismissed the summons, stating that he had no information to assist in the investigations.

 In a letter addressed to the Regional CCIO Nyeri, the lawyer questioned the basis of the summons, arguing that it was rooted in mere belief rather than evidence.

“Regrettably, our client is devoid of any facilitative information that would aid your investigations. We are, however, obligated to remind you of the importance of Article 50 (2) of the Constitution of Kenya, upon which our client cleaves and clings. We are however willing to comply with whatever outcome that your endeavor will lead to,” read part of the letter.

In a Facebook post on Thursday, the senator had dismissed the summons, labeling them as intimidation.

He questioned the decision to summon him to Nyeri over an incident that occurred in Limuru, insisting he is ready to cooperate but on more reasonable terms.

“This intimidation will neither silence nor deter us. They refused to meet us at the CID headquarters on Kiambu Road but summon us to Nyeri. See you there,” Thang'wa said.

The chaos at the funeral saw mourners, including the former Deputy President, attacked by a rowdy mob. Mr Gachagua’s vehicle was damaged and its rear windows smashed, while several mourners sustained injuries.

The disruption occurred just before the former DP could address attendees at the burial of 23-year-old Erastus Nduati.

Senator Thang’wa and other leaders later visited the DCI offices to inquire about the whereabouts of former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, who was reportedly detained during the chaos.

They claimed that their efforts to engage with the DCI were rebuffed, further escalating tensions surrounding the incident.

However, in a press statement issued today, the Inspector General of the National Police Service Dr Resila Onyango, refuted claims that police had arrested former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi.

“We wish to clarify that the NPS did not arrest Hon. Peter Mwathi, and he is not a person of interest to the police. The DCI Limuru has commenced investigations into the matter to establish the cause of the fracas and bring the perpetrators to book,” she stated.

Dr Onyango added that police are currently recording statements from the family members of the deceased as part of the ongoing investigations.

While noting that property of unknown value was damaged during the incident, she revealed that only one formal complaint had been filed.

The Deputy President has since alleged that the attack was a politically motivated plot to target him.

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