Heavily armed police officers on Sunday camped at the rural home of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji in Mutunduri, a day after hostile youths attempted to disrupt Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s meeting in Embu.
The officers, some in plainclothes, were strategically positioned outside the MP’s home, reportedly waiting to arrest him following the violence that erupted during the DP’s meeting at Nembure Stadium on Saturday.
The officers arrived around 6am and surrounded the lawmaker’s residence, causing panic in the homestead. They remained at the home for hours, trying to establish whether the MP was inside. By noon, the officers had not left.
Some of the vehicles which were set ablaze when chaos erupted during a meeting presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nembure, Embu County, on September12, 2026.
Photo credit: George Munene | Nation Media Group
During the Saturday chaos at Nembure Stadium, one person was shot dead by police and six vehicles were burnt after youths turned violent when riot police repulsed their attempt to storm the stadium, where the Deputy President was addressing UDA officials.
The siege at the MP’s home came after Prof Kindiki strongly condemned the violence that disrupted his meeting.
He said the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) regretted the loss and damage caused by those responsible for organising the youths to disrupt the meeting.
“I condemn violence and demand that law enforcement agencies take punitive measures against all those responsible for perpetuating political chaos,” Prof Kindiki said.
He stressed that UDA stood for issue-based politics and a contest over which party had a better development record and policy goals for Kenya’s future, rather than forcing support through lies, violence and “useless slogans.”
“Our party leadership in Embu has been tasked with verifying the exact nature of the loss and damage, and to coordinate responses to stand in solidarity with all those adversely affected in one way or another,” he said.
Some of the vehicles which were set ablaze when chaos erupted during a meeting presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Nembure, Embu County, on September12, 2026.
Photo credit: George Munene | Nation Media Group
“The opposition is trying to sell fear to us after knowing that they will lose in the 2027 polls. We are not going to buy fears,” Ms Mbarire said, while accusing Mr Mukunji of planning the chaos.
The MP, however, defended himself, saying the government was using him as a scapegoat.
“There is no way they can always blame me for organising violence. I am not involved in any way,” Mr Mukunji told journalists in Embu town on Saturday.
Separately, journalists in Embu condemned the violence in which two vehicles belonging to journalists were torched.
Led by Embu Media Association chairman Brian Malila, the journalists said the safety of journalists must remain non-negotiable at every public or political gathering.
“Embu Media Association is alarmed by the violence and destruction witnessed at Nembure Stadium during the UDA delegates meeting,” Mr Malila said.
