DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has put Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on the spot over the safety of his planned visit to Emurua Dikirr, demanding assurance that his entourage and residents will be protected amid claims of threats and plans to disrupt the event.
Gachagua is expected in Emurua Dikirr Constituency, Narok County, on Friday, August 21, 2026, for a thanksgiving event organised at the invitation of DCP candidate Vincent Rotich, who contested the constituency's May 14 by-election.
In a letter dated August 20, the former Deputy President said he would attend the event with Rotich, thousands of DCP supporters and political leaders from across the country.
The visit comes days after violence disrupted a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay County, raising fresh concerns over the safety of political gatherings as parties intensify mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The August 16 unrest involved confrontations, attacks on journalists and damage to police and civilian vehicles. The National Police Service later announced the arrest of 37 suspected gang members who were allegedly found carrying crude weapons, including machetes, knives, metal rods, rungus and batons.
The violence also led to the death of Mama Noureen Nalwanga, popularly known as NyaUganda. Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said Nalwanga was overrun by a campaign vehicle during the rally.
Against this backdrop, Gachagua said he had received information about alleged threats against his planned visit to Emurua Dikirr.
"My attention has, however, been drawn to threats issued by the current Member of Parliament for Emurua Dikirr, David Kipsang Keter and a handful of others, which have been recorded on videos, shared online, and reported by the mainstream and social media, that my entourage and I should not set foot in Emurua Dikirr on August 21, 2026," he said.
Gachagua went further to allege that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo had financed Keter to mobilise groups and plain-clothes police officers to cause violence during his visit.
"I am aware that the CS for Interior and Coordination of National Government, Kipchumba Murkomen, and the PS for Interior Raymond Omollo have financed Kipsang to mobilise goons and plain-clothes police officers to cause mayhem of a higher magnitude than the Homa Bay chaos over the weekend," he said.
"Be well informed that the instructions issued to Kipsang are that the Homa Bay chaos should be a shadow of what needs to happen in Emurua Dikirr," he added.
The DCP leader also questioned the police leadership's handling of the Homa Bay violence and whether the National Police Service was prepared to protect political leaders, their supporters and members of the public.
He said the police had also failed to act on evidence he presented to Kanja in January regarding 24 alleged attacks against him.
"You will recall that on January 30, 2026, I visited your office in Nairobi and presented evidence on the 24 attacks that had been meted out against me. Several months later, no action has been taken by yourselves. The persons involved in the attacks are still wreaking havoc across the country as you watch," he said.
Gachagua challenged Kanja to take full command of the police service as the country approaches the 2027 elections or resign from office.
He further warned the police chief of possible international legal consequences, pointing to the role of security officials in the aftermath of Kenya's 2007-08 post-election violence.
Gachagua then sought direct answers from Kanja on whether adequate security arrangements had been made for his visit and for residents of Emurua Dikirr.
"Can you assure the country that my entourage, the people of Emurua Dikirr, and I will be safe on August 21, 2026?"
He also demanded confirmation that measures had been put in place to protect lives and property during the event.
"Can you inform the people of Kenya that you have put in place adequate security measures to protect life and property in Emurua Dikirr on August 21, 2026?"
Gachagua's planned visit comes at a time of increased grassroots political mobilisation, with concerns over political intolerance and violence taking centre stage as parties and political movements prepare for the 2027 General Election.