Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come to the defence of Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mukunji following Saturday’s violent disruption of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s meeting in Embu, claiming police had surrounded the legislator’s home in preparation for his arrest.
In a statement issued on Sunday, September 13, Gachagua accused Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire of harassing Mukunji over the clashes between police and members of the public during the meeting.
Gachagua, who leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), claimed hundreds of police officers had been deployed around Mukunji’s Embu residence with instructions to arrest him over the violence.
“The harassment of Hon. Gitonga Mukunji by Kithure Kindiki and Cecily Mbarire is unacceptable,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president also shared a screenshot of what he described as a WhatsApp exchange between Kindiki and Mukunji, saying the message showed the Deputy President had threatened to deal with the Manyatta MP.
In the message, Kindiki reportedly told Mukunji that he respected his decision not to work with the Kenya Kwanza administration but accused him of choosing to confront him directly.
“My brother, I have always respected you and your decision not to work with us. However you have decided to fight me directly, but there is no problem, I am ready,” the message attributed to Kindiki reads.
Kindiki also reportedly insisted that the Saturday gathering was his meeting and not one organised by President William Ruto or Governor Mbarire.
“Today's meeting was not William Ruto's or Cecily Mbarire's, it was my meeting. It is okay,” the message stated.
Gachagua claimed the government was attempting to link Mukunji to the violence as part of what he termed a cover-up. He alleged that the clashes were triggered by the exclusion of thousands of people from accessing Nembure Stadium.
The DCP leader further claimed that the government had been using financial incentives to win support in the Mt Kenya East region, allegations that have not been independently established.
Gachagua said he had mobilised lawyers to defend Mukunji if he was arrested, including if the MP was apprehended while attending church.
Here is Kindiki's Alleged Leaked Whatsapp Chat:
He warned that what he described as the persecution of Mukunji could strengthen the legislator’s political support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The remarks came after Saturday’s chaos in Embu, where police confirmed that one person died, several others were injured and vehicles were torched during the disruption.
Mukunji has denied orchestrating the violence, while authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the clashes. No court has established that the MP organised or caused the violence.