Rigathi Gachagua Evacuated After Chaos At Meru Rally

A group of rowdy youth are said to have disrupted the event by pelting Gachagua and other leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto with stones...

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Jul 13, 2022 - 12:25 Updated: Jul 13, 2022 - 12:42
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Kenya Kwanza's running mate Rigathi Gachagua has been whisked to safety after he was forced to cut short his speech at a rally in Meru when chaos broke out.

A group of rowdy youth are said to have disrupted the event by pelting Gachagua and other leaders allied to Deputy President William Ruto with stones on Wednesday, July 13.

Gachagua's stopover at Mutuati was interrupted by violence after he had been to peaceful rallies in the county. Police officers were deployed and they were forced to use teargas to disperse the crowd.

Kenya Kwanza Running Mate Rigathi Gachagua poses for a photo during a rally in Meru. /TWITTER

An unknown number of people sustained injuries during the chaos. Gachagua was airlifted to safety.

Some of the area residents had taken cover at the nearby Mutuati Sub County hospital, leading to a temporary suspension of operations. Medics were forced to shield patients from the refuge-seekers.

Besides Gachagua, other leaders escorted to safety were Meru Senator Mithika Linturi and South Imenti Member of Parliament Kathuri Murungi.

Gachagua had earlier addressed several centres including Kimongoro Market and Igembe market in the county, rallying support for the Deputy President in the upcoming general elections.

The chaos came moments after an address by Ruto during a rally in Vihiga County turned problematic, worsened by a youthful supporter rudely interrupting him.

Rival groups allied to ANC Vihiga gubernatorial candidate Alfred Agoi and UDA Sabatia parliamentary Clement Sloya tried to cut his speech short on multiple occasions to the point he could not take it anymore.

He fired a warning to those allegedly sent to interrupt his meeting, as ANC party leader Musalia Mudavadi was on a trip to America, and thus missed the meeting.

Ruto turned his attention to the supporter who rudely answered him, urging him to keep quiet or leave the meeting.

Deputy President William Ruto speaking during a rally in Vihiga County on July 13, 2022. /WSR

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