Protests As Rival Groups Clash Over Harassment of Rigathi Gachagua
The pro-Gachagua group had taken to the streets to demonstrate against what they claim is political persecution targeting the ex-DP.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Chaos erupted in Karatina, Nyeri County, on Tuesday, May 20, when a protest led by supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua turned violent after clashing with a rival faction backing local Member of Parliament (MP) Eric Wamumbi.
The pro-Gachagua group had taken to the streets to demonstrate against what they claim is political persecution targeting the ex-DP. However, tensions escalated when Wamumbi’s supporters confronted them, leading to heated clashes.
Fearing the unrest could spiral out of control, local traders hurriedly shut down their businesses to avoid potential damage or losses.
This marked the second consecutive day of protests in Rigathi Gachagua’s political stronghold, following his claims of an alleged poisoning attempt.
Rigathi Gachagua speaking during the launch of his DCP party on May 15, 2025, in Lavington, Nairobi. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA
On Monday night, May 19, just hours after Gachagua addressed the media, some residents of Mathira staged demonstrations to show their support for the former Deputy President.
The demonstrations followed recent claims by Rigathi Gachagua that he is being closely monitored by state operatives.
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader has been in a prolonged standoff with President William Ruto's administration, especially after his impeachment and replacement by Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
On May 19, Gachagua alleged that unidentified vehicles have been tailing him, tracking his movements, and keeping tabs on individuals visiting his residences in both Nairobi and Nyeri.
During the presser, he also alleged that on Sunday afternoon, he was tipped off by police officers who claimed they’d been ordered to plant weapons in his convoy as a setup to justify his arrest.
"We received further intelligence from the deployed patriotic officers who were not in agreement with the evil mission, that they had clear instructions to plant arms and weapons in our convoy to provide evidence to arrest us and get evidence that they could charge us with in court," he revealed.
At the same time, Gachagua emerged with explosive claims of a murder plot against him, with state-sponsored officers given specific instructions to take him out. He revealed that he was made aware of alleged instructions from the President to 'deal with him' once and for all.
The former deputy claimed that efforts to silence him using state-backed thugs failed on Sunday, leading to police stepping in to stop what he described as a plot against his life. "Since the goons sponsored by the state on several occasions had failed, police and other state security agencies had to come in," he added.
Gachagua also claimed that the government wanted to poison him using biological means on Sunday, when the contingent of officers chasing him had barricaded his home.
