Families of two Kariobangi men shot in chaotic celebrations attended by Gachagua seek justice

Two young men in Kariobangi North are nursing gunshot wounds after they were caught in chaos during what was meant to be a peaceful celebration of a ward representative’s election victory—an event attended by opposition leader and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua.

One and a half weeks later, their families remain at home without medical help, claiming no police officer has tried to investigate the matter. 

The PCEA Berea Parish Church was the venue for a political event led by Gachagua, honouring DCP candidates who had triumphed in recent by-elections across the country.

In the crowd was a man who had just left a nearby Catholic church. He was not part of the gathering, but as he passed by, he was caught in the sudden eruption of violence.

Police reportedly fired tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse residents who had gathered near the venue. In the chaos, the man was struck by a rubber bullet, which lodged into his right buttock.

He lay unattended for a while before his wife, Vivian, was alerted. She rushed to the scene and attempted to get him medical attention.

However, her efforts were met with resistance. According to Vivian, officers—including the local OCS—initially blocked her from taking her husband to the hospital, despite his visible injuries.

Eventually, she managed to get him to a nearby hospital. But there, she says, he received minimal care. The couple was forced to transfer to Mama Lucy Hospital, where an X-ray confirmed the rubber bullet remained lodged in his body.

A subsequent attempt to seek treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital was unsuccessful, with Vivian saying they were turned away due to their inability to pay the required Ksh.3,500.

Now back home, the victim is unable to sit or walk properly. Vivian says the family has reached out to relatives and even to their area MCA—who she personally supported during the campaign—but no help has come.

Our team also spoke to another victim of the same incident, who confirmed being shot and showed us the rubber bullet that was later removed from his body.

Eyewitness Linda Ondere, who was present during the altercation, described the scene as “chaotic and terrifying.” She is now calling for justice for the victims, urging authorities to investigate the use of force by police.

Vivian, meanwhile, says she is living in fear. She claims the OCS is still looking for her, accusing her of taking her husband away from the scene without police consent.

As the family struggles with medical bills and unanswered questions, they are appealing for urgent intervention—especially from the very leaders they support.