KENYA: Murkomen Blames Lack Of Police Notice For Chaos At Gachagua’s Kenya Party Launch

By Lisbeth Micheni, Kenya 

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has attributed the disorder during the recent unveiling of Rigathi Gachagua’s new political party to the failure of organizers to alert the National Police Service (NPS).

The event, which marked the debut of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), turned chaotic shortly after it commenced, with three journalists reportedly hurt in the ensuing stampede.

According to reports, members of Gachagua’s security detail fired shots into the air as a rowdy crowd tried to force its way into the party headquarters on Musa Gitau Road in Lavington, Nairobi.

Speaking in Marsabit on May 14, Cabinet secretary, (CS) Murkomen confirmed that no formal communication had been made to the police regarding the gathering, which he says hindered efforts to provide necessary security arrangements.

Preliminary findings suggest that some of the chaos may have stemmed from disgruntled supporters who allegedly expected to receive payment.

The confrontation over unmet promises reportedly sparked the commotion.

“Some individuals, apparently supporters, began scuffling over unpaid dues, which escalated and led to a stampede injuring journalists present at the scene,” Murkomen said.

He further stated that investigations are ongoing to determine the identities and actions of armed individuals in civilian attire who were seen discharging firearms during the fracas.

Murkomen emphasized the importance of notifying the police before any public political function to ensure order and public safety, regardless of political allegiance.

In what seemed like a subtle warning, the Interior CS urged political figures to handle compensation of their supporters more transparently and in an orderly fashion.

Gachagua, Kenya’s former Deputy President, had announced that an official launch of the party is scheduled for June 4, ahead of a nationwide campaign to grow support.

He has since encouraged Kenyans to begin signing up as members of the new outfit.