Super Metro has denied claims that its buses were used to ferry goons to disrupt a political rally held by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Kirinyaga County on Sunday.
The public service vehicle (PSV) operator said the people seen in its buses in Kirinyaga were secondary school students travelling for a recreational hike at Kathandeni Forest in Gichugu Constituency.
In a statement on Monday, Super Metro said the clarification followed claims on social media that its buses had transported people to cause violence at meetings organised by Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
“The AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi has clarified that the buses spotted in Kirinyaga were carrying secondary school boys and girls who were heading for a hike at Kathandeni Forest in Gichugu Constituency,” the company said.
“The youths had no connection to political activities,” it added.
The clarification came after videos showing young people inside several Super Metro buses circulated online as Gachagua held political meetings in the region.
Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina was among leaders who questioned the presence of the buses and accused the company of transporting supporters allegedly intended to disrupt the rallies.
“Super Metro!!! I see you have transported Kasongo's goons to Kirinyaga to wreak havoc at Riggy G's meetings,” she said in a post on social media.
She further warned that the company could be held legally responsible for any violence linked to the alleged transportation of the group.
Super Metro has now distanced itself from the allegations, saying the passengers were students undertaking a planned outdoor activity and were not linked to the political events taking place in the county.
Gachagua's rallies in Kirinyaga formed part of efforts by the DCP to consolidate support in the Mount Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The claims came amid heightened scrutiny of political rallies following a series of violent incidents at opposition gatherings.
On 16 August, a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay descended into violence, leaving two people dead and several others injured. Political leaders have since traded accusations over the alleged use of organised groups to disrupt rival meetings.
Super Metro's clarification seeks to separate its operations from the political controversy, maintaining that the passengers seen in its buses were students headed for a forest hike rather than people mobilised to disrupt Gachagua's meetings.