Tension escalated in Nyeri Town on Thursday as former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua publicly accused the National Police Service of allowing and escorting armed goons to roam the streets ahead of his scheduled political meeting.
In a social media post directed at Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua questioned why security officers were standing aside while groups of youths armed with crude weapons marched through town and allegedly harassed residents.
The former deputy president pointed out that President William Ruto had previously issued public instructions that goons should not be allowed to terrorise Kenyans anywhere in the country.
Bwana IG, I thought the President gave you instructions in public that goons should not be allowed to terrorize Kenyans anywhere in Kenya? Why are your officers escorting goons armed with crude weapons in the streets of Nyeri Town harassing residents ahead of my meeting this afternoon?” Gachagua wrote.
The accusations strike at a growing national concern about the use of hired goons and political intimidation ahead of Kenya’s 2027 election cycle, which several leaders have warned undermines democratic stability.
Gachagua’s camp claims that instead of maintaining law and order, police have at times appeared to facilitate violence. The National Police Service had not responded to the latest allegations by the time of publication.
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