An interdenominational prayer meeting at Shamata Grounds in Nyandarua County turned chaotic on Saturday when a tear gas canister was thrown at former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, narrowly missing him.
The canister was thrown by a man in civilian clothes who was sitting quietly in the second row of the tent.
A bodyguard intercepted the canister within a metre of Mr Gachagua as other aides quickly shielded him and escorted him to his car, parked about 10 metres from the podium.
The crowd, seemingly prepared for such an incident, confronted the police officers and chased them back to Shamata station.
He was rescued by police officers who took him to their vehicle and drove back to the station with the crowd in pursuit.
The tear gas incident occurred shortly after Nyandarua Senator John Methu had finished addressing the rally and was about to invite other speakers.
In the aftermath, people in the area said police should never be present at meetings attended by Mr Gachagua, a demand unanimously supported by political leaders.
On Saturday evening, Mr Gachagua and the organisers of the meeting accused the government of trying to sabotage the prayer session.
In his speech, Mr Gachagua blamed President William Ruto for the chaos, saying the government should focus on solving the problems facing Kenyans instead of fighting them and curtailing their freedom.
“The President should understand why Kenyans are an angry lot. You cannot force Kenyans to love you. We were here during the colonial government. Colonialists brutalised us but we are still here,” Mr Gachagua said.
“We were here during (former President Daniel) Moi rule for 24 years, and we still survived. To President Ruto: We will be her and we will survive this.”
The former deputy president added that the government's “aggression” and use of extrajudicial means and police officers to stifle dissent was making an already bad situation worse.
“Those hired goons were after me. The rock that smashed the window of my car was aimed at me and I was lucky not to be hit,” Mr Gachagua told the Nation after the violent scenes in Limuru.
Then-Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kithure Kindiki , was nominated as his successor and quickly approved by the National Assembly. He was sworn in days later.
Speaking to journalists at his home in Mathira Constituency on Friday, Mr Gachagua spoke of the possibility of violent confrontations in Nyandarua.
“I have learned that the area police commander is intimidating leaders to cancel the prayer service by denying them permits,” Mr Gachagua said.
“There is no justification for police interference in such gatherings, especially prayers. Discontent is not addressed this way. The government should take time to understand the causes of people’s frustrations.”
He criticised the government's tactics, describing them as oppressive.
“Intimidation and repression are ineffective. Instead of quelling unrest, they actually exacerbate an already dire situation. The government must focus on understanding the causes of public dissatisfaction rather than silencing dissent,” he said on Friday.
“The President can refuse to build our roads and other developments, but he will not stop us from holding prayers,” the lawmaker said.
“You must respect the Church. The President must stop attacking and disrespecting church leaders. We shall not yield to his intimidation.”
“President Ruto must understand that our leader in Central region is Mr Gachagua. No one will intimidate us into not liking him,” Senator Methu told the crowd.
The service was also attended by Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, MPs Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Jane Kihara (Naivasha), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), Geoffrey Wandeto (Tetu) and a host of Nyandarua ward representatives.
Like Mr Gachagua and Mr Methu, the leaders said they would not be intimidated by such violence.
Bishop Ayub Kigotho, who presided over the service, criticised elected leaders for "blindly" supporting President Ruto.
“This country does not need leaders with no mental independence. They should be advising the President. Why do they clap when the President says the Social Health Authority and Adani deals are good?” he asked.
“When he says the same are bad and should be done away with, they still clap. We need independent leaders, people who can stand by their decisions, not blindly agreeing with what is wrong for the Kenyans and celebrating when the same is rejected by the President. How can they advise the President or represent voters if they cannot make independent decisions?”
