Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned the use of violence to resolve political disputes, shortly after goons disrupted former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s party launch event.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Kindiki warned that insults, political violence, and divisive language threaten the country’s democratic foundation and must not be tolerated.

He called for political maturity and peaceful engagement, urging leaders and citizens to embrace issue-based politics.

“Our country must exercise democratic tolerance and embrace issue-based politics. Insults, violence, and divisive rhetoric as a means of processing political differences of opinion have no place in our society,” he said.

Kindiki said that Kenya owes it to future generations to build a nation grounded in peace, mutual respect, and non-violent political discourse.

“We owe to the current and future generations a nation built on peace, peaceful coexistence and respect for one another even when we disagree on issues of policy,” he added.

Chaos had erupted in the morning during the launch of the newly formed Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) led by former DP Rigathi Gachagua in Lavington, Nairobi.

The incident occurred shortly after Gachagua had unveiled the party’s leadership and concluded his address.

A group of rowdy individuals believed to be hired goons attempted to storm the venue with the apparent aim of disrupting the event, which had just ended.

Security personnel on site responded swiftly, firing into the air to control the situation.

The commotion intensified as some of the intruders, who had been cornered in the melee, were reportedly assaulted while party leaders were hurriedly escorted to safety.

The disturbance lasted for several minutes before order was restored. Authorities have since opened an investigation into the incident, with initial reports pointing to the disruptive group as the cause.