Former DP Gachagua Forced to Flee as Teargas Disrupts Thanksgiving Event

What was meant to be a peaceful thanksgiving ceremony turned into chaos when a teargas canister exploded just meters away from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The event, held to celebrate Shamata Ward MCA Gitau Njamba in Nyandarua, spiraled into a violent melee, leaving attendees injured and the police overwhelmed by an enraged crowd.

The commotion erupted as Nyandarua Senator John Methu was delivering his speech. What started as a formal and celebratory gathering quickly descended into panic. Even clergy members were not spared, as the thanksgiving turned into a teary and bitter experience for everyone present.

In the midst of the chaos, police apprehended a suspect—a man believed to be an undercover officer accused of throwing the teargas canister. The angry crowd, baying for his blood, overwhelmed the police, forcing them to retreat.

The aftermath painted a grim picture: shattered chairs, a disheveled dais, and visibly shaken leaders. Speaking to the remaining crowd after the dust settled, Gachagua addressed the issue, saying:
“You cannot govern people by force… We will engage them and find out what angered them.”

This incident marks the second attack on the former DP in just one month. In a previous incident during a burial in Limuru, Gachagua was similarly targeted. He believes these events are part of a deliberate effort by the government to intimidate him.
“Even if you disrupt meetings or send armed youth, it won’t change the fact that these people have already left UDA,” he stated.

With political tensions and intolerance on the rise, such incidents serve as a stark reminder of the deep divisions within the country. As investigations into the Nyandarua incident continue, questions linger about the underlying motives and the role of government influence in these escalating conflicts. Gachagua’s defiant stance only adds to the growing political narrative—one where power struggles are becoming increasingly volatile and dangerous for all involved.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.