KENYA : Chaos Erupted during a funeral service attended by Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Limuru after a rowdy mob emerged from behind the tent where the former Dp and other leaders were sitted forcing them to flee.
Property of unknown value was destroyed, Chairs and tables broken while Cars were pelted with stones during a peaceful event that turned chaotic in seconds.
Rigathi Gachagua has claimed the government was behind the incident, claiming it hired the goons who attacked him and other mourners.
Gachagua, said a specific group followed him as he went to his car, which they proceeded to attack with stones and iron bars.
The former Deputy President’s security withdrawal has been a contentious issue, especially in light of the ongoing legal challenge against his impeachment.
The intruders scattered while screaming as mourners scampered for safety in all directions as the attacking party continued throwing chairs at the escaping groups.
The former DP was whisked away by his security as the intruders continued vandalising vehicles using plastic chairs as mourners watched helplessly.
It wasn't immediately established if anyone was injured but images shared online show damaged vehicles.
Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wa who was seated next to Gachagua claimed the chaos was an attempt on the former DP’s life.
"It was an assassination attempt. But the People's Deputy President is safe. Asanteni sana, watu wa Limuru, for ensuring our safety. We will not be intimidated or silenced—now we know,” he claimed in a post on X and Facebook.
Rigathi Gachagua, has issued a statement following the attack, this is what he had to say.
''As Kenyans are well aware earlier this week the government withdrew the final aspects of my security that was in place after the impeachment process we are contesting.
However we did not raise issue with this decision by government although expectations were that any Kenyan who has served at the level of government that I was privileged to serve at, would be secured by government even after leaving office.
However it now looks like the decision to withdraw my security was to leave me exposed to the kind of attack we have witnessed today.
Today I was at a funeral service in Limuru for a young man called Erastus Nduati. While we were preparing to lay the young man to rest goons attacked us and the other mourners who were present, including children. The gangsters were armed with stones, machetes, iron bars and sticks.
They descended randomly on mourners present and attacked them using the weapons they had, as well as using the plastic seats available. A specific group followed me as I went to my car, which they proceeded to attack with stones and iron bars. We literally drove out of the venue under a hail of rocks!
This is very sad state of affairs and a major low for the state, who were clearly complicit in these actions. We just especially remember the family that had a loved one in a casket, who had to run to safety despite their profound grief.
We will not be scared away from standing with Kenyans who need us to support them in their moments of need. We just expect such a terrible moment of shame will not be repeated." gachagua said.
The government is yet to issue a statement on the attack or respond to Gachagua’s accusations of complicity.
Meanwhile, calls for a thorough investigation into the incident are growing as Kenyans question the state of security in public spaces.
