Tension rises in Nyeri ahead of Gachagua visit

Political tension is rising in Nyeri county ahead of former DP Rigathi Gachagua’s visit to the county on Tuesday, with his allies alleging plans to disrupt his meetings as rival political camps trade accusations over possible violence.

Gachagua, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, is expected to make stopovers in Karatina, Gatitu and Nyeri town, where he will meet supporters as he seeks to strengthen his political influence in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The allegations have triggered a war of words between rival political camps, with EALA MP Kanini Kega claiming that some Nyeri politicians were planning to interfere with Gachagua’s meetings.

Kega alleged that Nyeri Town MP Duncan Maina Mathenge and a former MP had come together to disrupt the meetings, warning that Gachagua’s supporters would not be intimidated.

“We know the area member of Parliament and the former member of Parliament have come together to try and disrupt that meeting. We want to tell them that we are not going to be intimidated,” Kega said.

He called on the government to ensure security during the visit and cautioned against the  deployment of goons or police officers to frustrate the meetings.

“We don't want to see goons there. We also don't want to see police officers masquerading as goons trying to stop our meeting,” he said.

But Mathenge dismissed the allegations, challenging Kega to provide evidence of the alleged plot and present it to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations and the county security team for action.

Mathenge also accused Kega of having a history of political violence, citing Narumoru and Kimahuri during the 2022 campaigns.

“My 20-year political history speaks for me on political violence or violence of any nature,” Mathenge said.

The Nyeri Town constituency MP further alleged that should violence occur during Gachagua’s visit, it would be “self-instigated violence” by what he described as the “Kanini Kega gang of goons”.

Mathenge also attacked Kega’s political record, accusing him of failing the people of Kieni and Nyeri County during his 10 years of leadership. He made further allegations concerning Kega’s previous roles in Parliament and public projects.

“I challenge him to account for his record in Kieni and explain what he did for the people during his 10 years in leadership. His record speaks for itself, and the people of Nyeri know what he delivered when he had the opportunity to serve them," he said.

The allegations were not accompanied by evidence, and Kega has not been given an opportunity to respond to the accusations.

Mathenge also sought to downplay Kega’s political influence in Nyeri Town, describing him as having “zero influence” and “zero following” in the constituency.

“Kanini has no influence in Nyeri Town and no following here. Let him come to the ground and test his popularity. The people of Nyeri Town know their leaders, and they will not be swayed by empty political rhetoric," he said.

Meanwhile, DCP Secretary-General and Nyandarua Senator John Methu has urged Kenyans not to accept money from politicians to engage in violence, saying political confrontations can have devastating consequences for families and communities.

Methu spoke during a Sunday service at PCEA Emmanuel Church in Kieni Constituency, where he and Kega were among leaders who attended the dedication of the newly completed church sanctuary.

The senator urged residents to reject attempts to recruit them into political violence, regardless of whether the money comes from politicians in government or the opposition.

“If you take money to throw stones, the stone might hit your brother, your sister and, if not your family, a person from your community might be hit,” Methu said.

He urged young people to refuse to be used to cause chaos, telling those allegedly planning violence to allow Gachagua’s supporters to hold their meeting peacefully before holding their own gatherings.

“Those telling you to throw stones, tell them that you will not be used to cause chaos,” Methu said.

Othaya parliamentary aspirant on a DCP ticket Patrick Ngunjiri, welcomed Gachagua and other party leaders to Mathira and Nyeri constituencies and urged residents to turn out in large numbers.

“We are appealing to our people to come out in large numbers so that we can welcome the people’s president,” Ngunjiri said.

Ngunjiri also appealed to young people not to accept money to attack fellow residents or disrupt the meetings, warning that no political prize was worth the loss of life.

“There is no billion that is worth a drop of blood,” he said, urging residents to maintain peace and demonstrate that Nyeri is a peace-loving county.

Former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu also weighed in on the controversy, alleging that the claims of a planned disruption were part of a broader strategy to create chaos and generate sympathy ahead of Gachagua’s visit.

“The plan. Cause chaos. Point fingers. Earn sympathy. Kanini tasked by Jofri to set stage,” Wambugu posted on his social media platforms, without providing evidence for the allegations.

He also questioned why bloggers had been drawn into the political dispute and appeared to challenge Kega to confront Mathenge directly over their political differences, rather than involving other actors.

Gachagua’s tour is expected to provide an early test of his political influence in Nyeri, a county that remains central to the battle for the Mt Kenya vote ahead of the 2027 elections.

His allies have vowed that the meetings will proceed despite the alleged threats, while his political opponents have challenged the narrative that he retains overwhelming support in the region.

Kega has urged supporters to turn up for the meetings, insisting that attempts to disrupt them would not succeed.

“Nothing will stop us. We are coming for that meeting,” he said.

Ndia MP George Kariuki has urged DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua to use his Nyeri tour to preach peace, development and unity, cautioning him against insulting or inciting people and attacking other political leaders.

Kariuki said Gachagua should emulate the calm leadership style of former President Mwai Kibaki and focus his message on issues affecting residents rather than fuelling political divisions.

“He should preach peace, preach development and be as cool as the late President Mwai Kibaki. He should also not insult other leaders,” Kariuki said.

He challenged Gachagua to unite the Mt Kenya region with other communities, saying a leader seeking to lead the region should promote unity rather than division.

“If you want to be a leader of this region, you must ensure that our people are united. Stop insulting and inciting people and stop pushing Mt Kenya away from uniting with other communities. We have watched you; you only want to divide people, you do not unite them. What you are doing is dividing our people, and we shall not give you another chance to divide the people,” Kariuki said.

Nyeri County Assembly Speaker James Gichuhi Mwangi has welcomed DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua to the county, urging residents to maintain peace as the former Deputy President begins his political tour.

Gichuhi said Gachagua should be allowed to engage residents and exercise his constitutional right to hold political meetings without disruption, as political leaders seek to rally support ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We welcome our leaders to Nyeri and we urge everyone to maintain peace. Let every leader be allowed to speak to the people without intimidation or disruption,” Gichuhi said.