Gachagua Claims Police Are Being Misused After Teargas At Nyandarua Event
This is hours after an interdenominational prayer meeting at Shamata Grounds in Nyandarua County turned chaotic on Saturday, December 28 when a tear gas canister was thrown at Gachagua
Marvin Chege 
Former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua has accused the National Police Service (NPS) of allowing themselves to be used for purposes outside their mandate of law and order.
This is hours after an interdenominational prayer meeting at Shamata Grounds in Nyandarua County turned chaotic on Saturday, December 28 when a tear gas canister was thrown at Gachagua, narrowly missing him. The canister was thrown by a man in civilian clothes who was sitting quietly in the second row of the tent.
A bodyguard intercepted the canister within a metre of Gachagua as other aides quickly shielded him and escorted him to his car, parked about 10 metres from the podium. The crowd, seemingly prepared for such an incident, confronted the police officers and chased them back to Shamata station.
The man who allegedly threw the canister at Gachagua was seriously injured in the commotion. He was rescued by police officers who took him to their vehicle and drove back to the station with the crowd in pursuit.
A crowd at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua on Saturday, December 28, 2024. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA
In a statement, Gachagua termed the events as de-ja-vu given that action was yet to be taken against a criminal gang "very openly supported by the police" who attacked mourners at a Funeral Service he was attending in Limuru, despite the pictures of the attackers being splashed all over.
"Today at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua scores of police officers were deployed purportedly to provide security. However and without any provocation whatsoever a uniformed Inspector of Police gave a teargas canister to an officer in plain clothes to throw into VIP tent, causing panic and commotion. This was despite the fact that the prayers were peaceful and everyone was calm," he stated in part.
Gachagua however acknowledged the resilience and courage of everyone who attended the event for ensuring that despite the attack by the police the prayers continued to their focal conclusion.
The former second-in-command accused the NPS of allowing themselves to be used for political gain, given the negativity they have been drawing in recent weeks over illegal abductions and extrajudicial killings.
"I also want to thank the residents of Shamata for taking charge of the meeting and escorting the attackers out of the meeting, while providing security to the women and children present at the function, as well as the leaders who were present.
"But it is yet another moment of great shame to our National Police Service who are already disgraced for carrying out illegal abductions and extrajudicial killings of our children. Why do you allow yourselves to be used for political purposes?" he posed.
In a daring message to President William Ruto, Gachagua affirmed that "No amount of intimidation or violence will stop the Kenyan people from criticizing you, demanding for good governance and accountability, or asking you to respect democracy and the rule of law."
Gachagua, who has been vocal against the Kenya Kwanza Government since his impeachment in October, was forced to scamper for safety with his envoy during the thanksgiving service for Shamata Ward MCA Gitau Njamba in Nyandarua County.
The tear gas incident occurred shortly after Nyandarua Senator John Methu had finished addressing the rally and was about to invite other speakers. In the aftermath, people in the area said police should never be present at meetings attended by Gachagua, a demand unanimously supported by political leaders.
In the lead-up to the commotion, Senator Methu had hinted some forces were intent on ensuring the event did not take place since Gachagua would be in attendance.
