EMBU, Kenya — Chaos erupted at Nembure Stadium in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, on Saturday after youths clashed with police outside a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) political meeting addressed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, leaving at least one person dead and several vehicles destroyed.
Police confirmed one fatality following the confrontation. Embu West police boss Vincent Kitili said a body had been taken to the mortuary, telling reporters: “What I know is that we took one body to the mortuary.”
Earlier reports circulating in the immediate aftermath of the violence had suggested up to two people may have died, though only one death had been officially confirmed by police at the time of filing.
What triggered the clashes
The meeting, which brought together more than 20,000 UDA grassroots officials from polling centres across Embu County, had been restricted to invited officials and other designated participants.
The restriction left scores of youths unable to gain entry, triggering a confrontation with police outside the venue.
Officers fired teargas to disperse the crowds after youths attempted to storm the stadium. Some responded by throwing stones at police and into the venue itself, sparking hours of running battles in the vicinity of the stadium.
Kindiki was reportedly evacuated from the venue as the security situation deteriorated, though he later returned to continue his address.
Vehicles torched, journalist among those affected
The confrontation spread beyond the stadium, with several vehicles belonging to delegates and other attendees set on fire.
Kitili said six vehicles were torched and three others vandalised, according to preliminary police accounts, though earlier reports in the chaos’s immediate aftermath put the number as high as ten.
Among the vehicles destroyed was one belonging to a Royal Media journalist, Edward Murimi, who had been covering the event. A UDA supporter was also injured after being struck in the face by a stone and was given first aid before being taken to hospital.
Sections of the Embu-Meru Highway were also affected, with groups of youths allegedly barricading parts of the road and lighting bonfires, prompting a heightened security response.
Inside the stadium grounds, security officers and drivers moved vehicles to safer areas as the confrontation continued nearby.
Kindiki condemns violence, calls for tolerance
Despite the disruption, Kindiki proceeded with his address to UDA grassroots leaders, using the occasion to call for political tolerance and appeal directly to the youths involved.
“Mbona unataka kuumiza vijana ambao wanakuunga mkono? Mbona unatuma vijana kukabiliana na polisi? Na hao ndio unategemea wakupigie kura. Hawa vijana ni wa upinzani lakini pia ni wa Embu na ni Wakenya. Wako na haki ya kulindwa na kupewa advice mzuri” — questioning why anyone would send young supporters to confront police when those same youths were expected to vote for them, and insisting they deserved protection and better guidance regardless of political affiliation, he said.
He pledged that the government would provide security for all political parties to hold their meetings peacefully, and warned UDA supporters against allowing themselves to be used to disrupt rival gatherings.
“WanaUDA, usithubutu kutumiwa na mtu yeyote uvuruge mkutano ndo Rais apate umaarufu” — cautioning UDA supporters against being manipulated into disrupting meetings to boost the President’s popularity, he said.
UDA response and outstanding questions
Following the melee, Kindiki issued a statement on social media directing UDA’s party leadership in Embu to verify the extent of the damage and coordinate a response for those affected.
“The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Party regrets the loss and/or damage brought about by those responsible for organizing the youth to disrupt our party meeting in Nembure, Embu earlier today,” he said, adding that the party “condemns violence and demands that law enforcement agencies take punitive measures against all those responsible for perpetuating political violence.”
Kindiki did not name those he accused of organising the disruption, nor did his statement specify a figure for the losses or identify who would receive support.
The National Police Service had not, by the time of filing, officially confirmed the death toll or provided a final tally of vehicles damaged.
Wider political tensions in Mt Kenya region
The rally also touched on broader political tensions within the Mt Kenya region. Kindiki called for unity and cautioned against attempts to divide Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, urging Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku to halt what he described as a campaign to politically split the region.
He said elders from both sides were already working to resolve emerging differences and should be given room to continue.
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Embu County Assembly Speaker Murithi Thiriku said the push to divide the region stemmed from disagreements over political support for Kindiki, claiming some Mt Kenya West leaders had been reluctant to back him despite historical backing for western-side leaders from Mt Kenya East.
Saturday’s gathering was Kindiki’s third visit to Nembure within a month. He used the meeting to urge UDA grassroots officials to take the government’s development record to voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, and to avoid using young people as instruments of political confrontation.
