Gachagua allies warn President Ruto over Embu clashes, church attacks

Speaking at ACK Witima Church, the Gachagua allies defended Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, who has been linked to the violence that disrupted Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's meeting at Nembure Stadium in Embu on Saturday.

Nyandarua Senator and DCP Secretary General John Methu challenged Kindiki over the unrest, arguing that the deputy president had access to intelligence and should have acted if he knew the meeting was at risk of disruption. Methu further claimed that police officers, rather than goons, were behind the attack at ACK Witima, and challenged the government to arrest and prosecute them.

"Those who attacked ACK Witima are not goons, they are police officers, and they are known. Take them to court so the people of Witima can see they are treated like any other Kenyan," Methu said.

Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia claimed that more than 200 police officers had surrounded Mukunji's home in an attempt to arrest him over the Embu clashes, describing the move as unjustified. He also accused Kindiki of arriving in Embu with money meant for residents, alleging that those who were left out later clashed with police.

Methu additionally accused the government of using the criminal justice system to mask its shortcomings, saying Kenyans were growing weary and simply wanted to be left alone.

The Gachagua allies also pushed back on efforts they said were aimed at dividing the Mt Kenya region. Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu maintained that residents had rejected the split and remained united behind Gachagua.

"The mountain has one party and one leader, and that is Rigathi Gachagua and DCP," Nyutu said.

Nyutu also responded to a call by UDA Secretary General Hassan Omar for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to bar Mukunji from contesting in 2027, saying the commission should instead demonstrate impartiality by barring Omar himself.

Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia accused the government of allowing a pattern of attacks on political leaders and warned against making the country ungovernable ahead of the next election. Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara criticised the administration, saying Ruto had disappointed her despite her earlier support for his government. She defended Gachagua's impeachment and accused the administration of pursuing a scheme to divide the Mt Kenya region, further questioning the government's invocation of law and order following the Embu clashes.

Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo questioned the government's decision to close Tata Chemicals, arguing that the company had provided employment and water to the surrounding community for decades, and warned that pushing people to the brink could trigger a backlash. He urged the president not to have Mukunji arrested.

Embakasi West MP Mark Mwenje criticised the government's treatment of foreign traders, warning that Kenyans living and working abroad could face similar treatment elsewhere. Methu also raised the issue of churches attacked during periods of political unrest, alleging that First Lady Rachel Ruto had rebuilt a church in Kiambaa that was burnt during the 2007/08 post-election violence, and challenged her to push for justice for other attacked churches.

Former Mukurwe-ini MP Kabando wa Kabando accused the government of pushing the country toward conflict and warned against attempts to sow division in Embu and elsewhere. Former Kieni MP Kanini Kega questioned why authorities were pursuing Mukunji when those he said were responsible for the earlier ACK Witima attack had not been arrested, warning that the government was on a dangerous path.