A planned political rally in Kikuyu Constituency descended into disorder on Saturday, with teargas fired and confrontations breaking out as crowds gathered for an event led by Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua. The early chaos disrupted transport and heightened anxiety over the security of the meeting.
Trouble began to build as groups assembled in different sections of the area, prompting police to intervene. Witnesses reported running battles between sections of the crowd and officers, with teargas used to push people back. Amid the confusion, one voice rang out loudly, “Ongeza teargas,” capturing the intensity of the moment.
The unrest came hours after major roads in Kiambu County were blocked, including parts of the Southern Bypass. Individuals placed trailers across the highway and set tyres ablaze, creating barriers that cut off movement and left motorists stranded.
Traffic flow was severely affected at Thogoto and Gitaru, key points for vehicles heading to and from Nairobi’s western side. Drivers described long queues and gridlock, with some abandoning their routes altogether as smaller roads also became congested.
“Tyres were lit, and it was hard to use that route,” one driver reported.
Police were later deployed in larger numbers to regain control, clear the obstructions, and reopen the roads. Normal movement resumed gradually after the intervention, though tension remained in parts of the constituency.
The disruption followed concerns raised ahead of the rally. In a letter to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua had warned of possible interference and called for tighter security measures.
“The organised goons are to create mayhem, vandalise people's businesses, attack targeted establishments to trigger the police, who will join in by using teargas,” part of the letter states.
He also pointed to claims of a plan to block entry routes into Kikuyu town to limit access to the venue. The letter indicated that heavy trucks could be stationed along highways under the pretext of breakdowns to slow down movement and affect rally logistics.
By the time events unfolded, some of the fears outlined had appeared to take shape, although authorities had not confirmed the claims. Police action eventually brought the situation under control after earlier disruptions that paralysed transport and disrupted normal activity.
