NAKURU, Kenya — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua’s convoy was attacked in Nakuru Town West on Friday, with several vehicles in his motorcade damaged during his political tour of the county.
Photographs from the scene showed several Land Cruisers with shattered windscreens and rear windows following the incident.
The attack came as Gachagua continued his mobilisation tour of Nakuru ahead of the 2027 General Election, amid growing political tensions between opposition leaders and the government over alleged interference with political activities.
The circumstances surrounding the attack, including the identity and motive of those responsible, had not been independently established at the time of publication.
Politicians accompanying Gachagua condemned the incident and accused unnamed individuals of attempting to disrupt the party’s political activities.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara questioned why political rallies were being disrupted, arguing that politicians have a constitutional right to conduct political activities freely.
She said the National Police Service should provide security during political engagements rather than allow violence to interfere with rallies.
“We know there are goons on the Nakuru government payroll. We actually pay them with our taxes since they’re on a payroll,” Kihara alleged.
She condemned the damage to the vehicles and said political competition should be settled through democratic means.
“It’s unfortunate that since this is a competition, they should compete with us instead of beating us. There’s no point in trying to kill us. Look at the destruction,” she said.
“This is our country. It’s just so stupid that those who lead this country think they can do it using goons,” she added.
Kihara’s claims about the alleged involvement of government-linked individuals had not been independently verified.
Gachagua’s team began its Nakuru tour on Friday morning with the official opening of a DCP office in Naivasha.
The former deputy president and his supporters subsequently moved through Gilgil, Soko Mjinga in Nakuru Town West and Kanu House in Nakuru Town East for a series of public engagements.
The tour forms part of Gachagua’s efforts to strengthen the DCP’s political presence and mobilise support ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former Deputy President has increasingly positioned himself as a leading opposition figure since his fallout with President William Ruto, with the two former allies now openly exchanging political attacks.
The reported attack comes amid an increasingly heated dispute between the government and opposition over violence at political gatherings.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has said security agencies will take firm action against individuals involved in political violence.
Murkomen said the National Police Service had been instructed to arrest people causing chaos at political events, regardless of their political affiliation.
The government’s position is that individuals responsible for violence at political gatherings should face the law.
Opposition leaders, however, have repeatedly accused the government of using organised groups to disrupt their rallies — allegations the government has rejected.
The Nakuru incident adds to growing concerns about political violence as parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 General Election.
Also Read: Gachagua says community-donated Prado was stoned during Ol Kalou campaign
Gachagua has emerged as one of President Ruto’s most vocal political opponents and has repeatedly accused the administration of using state machinery and political groups to undermine opposition activities.
The government, in turn, has maintained that security agencies are responsible for maintaining order and has warned politicians against inciting violence.
With political mobilisation expected to intensify as the 2027 election approaches, Friday’s incident is likely to fuel renewed debate over the safety of opposition rallies and the responsibility of security agencies to protect political actors and their supporters.
For now, the key unanswered question is who attacked Gachagua’s convoy and why. Any determination of responsibility should await investigations by the relevant authorities.
