Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the chaos that erupted during a thanksgiving service he attended in Nyandarua on Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Although commotion ensued after a teargas canister was thrown onto the podium, the service resumed and proceeded. Gachagua said he is thankful for how the attendees reacted despite the peaceful nature of the event.
“Today at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua, scores of police officers were deployed, purportedly to provide security. However, without any provocation whatsoever, a uniformed inspector of police gave a teargas canister to an officer in plain clothes to throw into the VIP tent, causing panic and commotion. This was despite the fact that the prayers were peaceful and everyone was calm.
“I want to acknowledge the resilience and courage of everyone who attended this event for ensuring that, despite this attack by the police, the prayers continued to their focal conclusion.
“I also want to thank the residents of Shamata for taking charge of the meeting and escorting the attackers out of the meeting while providing security to the women and children present at the function, as well as the leaders who were present,” Gachagua said in a statement on X.
Ruto blamed
Gachagua further pointed fingers at President William Ruto and said no amount of intimidation will silence Kenyans.
“To President Ruto, no amount of intimidation or violence will stop the Kenyan people from criticizing you, demanding good governance and accountability, or asking you to respect democracy and the rule of law,” he added.
At the event, Gachagua reacted to the chaos by saying those behind it were just wasting their time.
“Ata mkiharibu mikutano, ata mkituma vijana, ata mkikuja na teargas, hawa watu wote walitoka kwa UDA. Sasa ni wakati mnapoteza (Even if you try to disrupt the meetings, send youth, or even come with teargas, these people already left UDA. At the moment, you are just wasting your time),” Gachagua stated.
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