Aasai

Tensions soared in Nakuru County on Sunday after police officers disrupted a planned rally led by allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The event, organized by the Democratic Change Party (DCP), took a dramatic turn when law enforcement set up barricades and fired tear gas to block the convoy from entering Nakuru town. The confrontation took place at Kwa Kahiga in Subukia, catching both supporters and leaders by surprise.

The day began on a peaceful note, with the DCP convoy attending a church service at AIC Subukia. From there, the leaders were scheduled to make several political stopovers, including in Kabazi, Maili Sita, and Heshima, all within Nakuru North Constituency. However, their plans were thwarted when they encountered a heavy police presence along the route, raising immediate concerns about political interference and intimidation.

At one key barricade in Kwa Kahiga, a tense standoff ensued between the convoy and police officers. Attempts at dialogue failed, leading to a heated verbal exchange between DCP leaders and the officers. Determined not to be silenced, the leaders pushed through the blockade amid cheers from supporters, eventually managing to proceed with their rallies under close police surveillance.

Speaking at various stops, the leaders accused the Kenya Kwanza government of orchestrating political persecution aimed at silencing dissenting voices. Nyandarua Senator John Methu sharply criticized those around President William Ruto, claiming they were misleading him about his political strength in the region. “Let the President come and see for himself. Nakuru is not as loyal to him as he is being told,” Methu said defiantly.

Naivasha Member of Parliament Jayne Kihara went further, accusing the state of weaponizing police to intimidate opposition leaders, especially women. “When men break the law, they go free. But you want to jail me for telling the truth?” she asked amid loud applause. Her comments echoed a broader sentiment of frustration and growing resistance within sections of the Rift Valley.

Deputy DCP Party Leader Cleophas Malala used the rally platform to call for unity among opposition supporters across the country. He rallied people from Western, Central, and Rift Valley regions, urging them to come together to remove the current administration in 2027. “This government is failing the people. Its time for Ruto to go home!” Malala declared, drawing thunderous applause from the crowd.

The rally also doubled as the launchpad for a nationwide voter registration campaign. The leaders urged their followers to register in large numbers, arguing that the only way to defeat the current regime was through the ballot. Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu expressed confidence that President Ruto lacked the numbers to secure a second term, saying, “We must prepare now to ensure he is sent home.”

Earlier during the church service, Laikipia Senator John Kinyua accused the government of being in a state of panic. He claimed that growing public dissatisfaction had triggered premature talks of rigging, adding, “They’ve sensed the looming defeat and are already nervous.”

The Nakuru confrontation highlighted the widening cracks within the Kenya Kwanza coalition. With Gachagua’s faction adopting a more confrontational approach, the Sunday events signal a new phase of grassroots resistance as political temperatures rise ahead of the 2027 General Election.