Head of Presidential Special Projects Denis Itumbi has accused Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mukunji of sponsoring chaos that disrupted a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) meeting attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Embu on Saturday.
Itumbi claimed Mukunji should compete politically by presenting his vision for Embu rather than allegedly using people to disrupt political meetings.
He challenged the legislator to explain what he would build and change if given the opportunity to lead the region.
“Compete with ideas, not chaos,” Itumbi said, while acknowledging that political competition was part of democracy.
However, Itumbi alleged that the disruption of the UDA meeting crossed the line from political competition into criminality, particularly because the incident reportedly involved destruction of property and injuries.
The meeting, attended by Kindiki, UDA Party Chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, was rocked by violence after groups outside the venue clashed with security officers. Police said one person died, several people were injured and six vehicles were torched during the confrontation.
Itumbi was particularly concerned about the reported burning of a vehicle belonging to a media correspondent. He said journalists often spend years working and saving to acquire vehicles that are essential for covering stories across different locations.
“I have been a correspondent. I know that hustle,” Itumbi said, describing the destroyed vehicle as more than “metal and tyres” because it represented the journalist’s livelihood, sacrifice and career achievement.
He called on Governor Mbarire to organise a fundraising drive to help the affected journalist replace the vehicle, saying he would personally attend and contribute towards the initiative.
Itumbi also condemned the reported destruction of an ambulance during the unrest, questioning how such property could become a target during a political confrontation.
The presidential aide urged security agencies to investigate the violence and ensure that anyone found responsible faces the law regardless of their political position or social standing.
Mukunji has denied involvement in the chaos and previously criticised the organisation of the UDA meeting, amid political tensions in Embu.
The incident has heightened political divisions in the county as UDA steps up grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Itumbi maintained that political leaders should be allowed to disagree and compete strongly, but warned against destruction of property belonging to ordinary Kenyans.
“Let politics compete on ideas. Let leaders disagree fiercely. But never destroy the little that ordinary hardworking Kenyans have struggled for years to build,” he said.