Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly condemned Sunday’s crackdown of Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) supporters at Ngonda Shopping Centre in Murang’a County.
The confrontation happened on July 27, 2025, when police threw teargas at DCP supporters, dispersing their rally and forcing a number of leaders to flee the area.
Before the chaos, Nyandarua Senator John Methu and other supporters of Gachagua had attended a service at AIPCA Christ the King Church in Kigumo. The leaders were to address several public gatherings in the area but were interrupted by police, who halted their procession.
The tensions escalated as officers threw teargas canisters at the group, which caused chaos and scattered the crowd.
“Police officers who appeared to be under very clear instructions have attacked us at Ngonda, Kigumo Constituency and used live ammunition on my vehicle, forcing us to escape by foot,” said Senator Methu. “Listen Mr. William Samoei Ruto, no amount of violence and police brutality shall change our WanTam resolve.”
Gachagua has accused the government of equipping security organs to utilize in intimidating the opposition and stifling popular discontent. He compared the Murang’a incident as a coordinated attempt to silence alternative political voices.
The DCP leader lashed out at Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing them of orchestrating the violent crackdown at Ngonda Shopping Centre in Murang’a.
In a fiery statement posted on his X account (formerly Twitter), Gachagua described the events as “barbaric, dictatorial, and violence against the very soul of our nation.” He claimed that state-sponsored militia, alongside rogue police officers acting on direct orders from the top, assaulted both ordinary citizens and leaders shortly after a church service.
“I have learnt of the unfortunate event at Ngonda Shopping Centre, in Murang’a where state-sponsored militia accompanied by rogue police officers under instructions of Mr. William Ruto and CS for Interior Kipchumba Murkomen have violently beaten wananchi and leaders after church service,” Gachagua wrote.
He added, “This is barbaric, dictatorial, and violence against the very soul of our nation, which is our constitution. Mr. William Ruto, read the preamble of our Constitution. In any case, you never supported its passing in 2010, and you have never changed your position, but Kenya has gone on.”
He also questioned the moral integrity of the president, condemning what he viewed as religious hypocrisy.
“Mr. William Ruto, what do you gain through deaths and bloodshed? How do you go to church, reconcile your conscience at the Holy Altar, while you instruct your police and goons to kill Kenyans in the same neighbourhood?” he asked.
“For how long will you repress the people of Kenya and mutilate our constitution? Do you think Kenyans will love you by force and intimidation?”
Gachagua demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the police officers and individuals involved in the Murang’a violence. He also issued a stern warning to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, vowing that justice would catch up with those responsible, no matter how long it takes.
