Supporters of President William Ruto and those of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua clashed Sunday in Gatanga, Murang’a County, ahead of the president’s tour of Mt Kenya from Tuesday.
The two groups clashed outside AIPCA Mwagu Gatanga Church after a car belonging to Kariara Ward Representative Gichobe Mbatia was damaged by a group of youths while the church service was in progress.
After the service, the MCA, alongside Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, who are Mr Gachagua’s allies, accused Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina of sponsoring the goons.
“They were ferried in a pickup driven by a man working for the woman rep. Our supporters arrested three of the goons and handed them over to police but they were released under immense pressure from “above’”, the MCA said.
However, Ms Maina denied the accusations, describing the incident as a political showdown ahead of 2027 elections.
She said she was invited to the church function by the bishop and was shocked to hear the commotion outside.
“At first, I thought we had been attacked and it is actually after the service when I realised what had happened. The clash was between supporters of the MP Muriu and the MCA over 2027 contest,” she said.
The woman rep said the hostility between the two groups of leaders in Murang’a started on Saturday at a cultural event in Gatanga after the county MP had addressed the residents.
“On Saturday, I attended a traditional wedding of a friend and requested the leaders of the Rigathi faction, including Senator Nyutu, MP Muriu and the ward representative not to make any political statements to avoid disrupting the event. But what followed were the slogans of ‘Ruto Must Go’. They shouted at me and my supporters as we left,” Ms Maina said, adding that nominated MP Sabina Chege, who is also an ally of President Ruto, was also present.
Senator Joe Nyutu said it was shameful that those supporting the government are using the police and goons to harass them.
“Ms Maina is using new found influence to intimidate and threaten people using goons that are protected by police officers,” the senator claimed.
“Your visit here should not lead to death of our young men but the truth about the status of the previous projects that you promised in your last trip to the region,” said Nyutu.
“Truth be told, we are done with you President Ruto and let your visit be peaceful and should not bring death and destruction like your Nairobi tour when goons caused mayhem,” he said.
During the incident, Mr Muriu’s assistant was reportedly injured and rushed to Kirwara Hospital for treatment.
“We have never had any political clash in Gatanga and today we have seen people who impeached Gachagua who are supporters of President Ruto cause chaos in church,” said Muriu.
Contacted for a comment, Murang'a county police commander Benjamin Kimwele denied the accusation that the police had arrested and released the perpetrators of the chaos.
“There was no evidence that the three people who were detained and later released by police are the ones who destroyed the vehicle," said Kimwele.
“They were mentioned by residents because they were new in the area and had accompanied the women leaders. Since the police had no evidence of any crime committed, they couldn't lock them up.”
He said the reason for detaining them was to protect them from a mob that was baying for their blood.
“We are still investigating the incident and whoever has any information over the attack should furnish police with details to help in the investigations,” the police boss said.
