Police were not notified: CS Murkomen says on chaos during Gachagua's party launch

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has urged leaders to notify the National Police Service (NPS) of planned political activities to provide adequate security following the chaos that erupted during the unveiling of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's outfit, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

During the launch, three journalists were injured amid the melee that erupted soon after the party's launch. Reports indicate that Gachagua's security team fired shots in the air to disperse a group of rowdy goons who attempted to access the party headquarters along Musa Gitau Road, Lavington. 

According to CS Murkomen, the chaos ensued after Gachagua's supporters were aggrieved for not getting paid.

"Preliminary investigations revealed that some of the supporters were expecting to be paid and as a result of fighting for those resources, there was a melee which led to a stampede and some of the journalists covering the event were injured," Murkomen noted.

"People in civilian clothing drew their guns and fired in the air. Investigations are ongoing to establish who they are and what they did. But what is of significance is that we ask all leaders, regardless of their political affiliation, to seek the services of NPS when they are having public events to secure and protect the public."

The CS also denied knowledge of the party launch and confirmed that the police had not been notified of the event.

"Our National Police Service (NPS) is carrying out proper investigations to see what happened when those political leaders were launching their party. As I have enquired from NPS, there is no indication that they were notified of this meeting so that they can provide proper security," he stated.

In a thinly-veiled jab at the former DP, the Interior security boss cautioned political leaders to pay their supporters in an orderly manner.

"Even when they are paying their supporters, because it's allowed by law, they should do it in an organised manner," he said.

During the unveiling of the party, Gachagua noted he would officially launch the party on June 4 ahead of his planned 2-year nationwide tour to woo Kenyans for his support and spread his popularity. 

He has also asked Kenyans to commence registering with the party.