Following last Sunday’s riotous incident that disrupted a church service in Mwiki, Nairobi, attended by former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, Kenyans now stare at a renewed wave of confrontational politics and intolerance.

During the PCEA Kasarani East Parish service attended by the former DP and his political allies, goons attempted to invade the church but were repelled by Gachagua’s security team.

 Security agencies said over 100 motorcycles were involved in the incident, ferrying two to three passengers. They arrived right behind the former DP entourage and allegedly started causing commotion in the church, demanding money from the politicians.

“Police at Mwiki Police Station heard gunshots on the church grounds, and were mobilised to repulse the goons, who retreated, and normalcy returned. Several of them, alongside 10 abandoned motorcycles, were detained at the Mwiki station,” a statement from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) indicated.

According to the DCI, the gunshots heard at the church were fired by the VIP security personnel and civilian licensed firearm holders in their bid to protect the leaders from the rowdy group, which was already causing damage to parked cars and church property.   

In a similar incident in November last year, Gachagua was forced to flee from a burial service in Limuru, Kiambu County, after assailants disrupted the event.

The assailants stormed the event, causing chaos by bringing down the tents, destroying the setup and pelting his convoy as he drove to safety.

President William Ruto has also suffered a similar fate. In February, when he toured Isiolo for a County Aggregation and Industrial Park project, a group of youth heckled him during a roadside rally, prompting a harsh censure from the Head of State. Forty youths were arrested following a security operation and were released after pleading guilty to charges of being drunk and disorderly.

Last month, during the president’s development tour in Nairobi, a wave of organised robbery incidents was witnessed. The gangs, which seemed well-coordinated, meticulously carried out theft and vandalism.

In a separate incident, Mumias East Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Salasya was attacked by rowdy youths at Nyayo National Stadium in Nairobi on March 23. The MP was among hundreds of Kenyans who had attended the sold-out match between Kenya’s Harambee Stars and Gabon’s national football team.

The attacking crowd was heard saying, “Lazima aheshimu Raila,” which translates to “He (Salasya) must respect Raila.” After the attack, a settled Salasya posted on X, “Noted.”

Shrewd politicians

Crafty politicians exploit the high unemployment rate to engage youth and promote their interests. These politicians even go to the lengths of ferrying the youth to their political rallies to build huge crowds and intimidate their political opponents.  

Other ugly incidents

On January 19, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, wife of the former DP, fled a prayer meeting in Nyeri after an invasion by rowdy youth led by ex-mungiki leader Maina Njenga.

On February 8, dozens were injured when goons linked to Kakamega County Governor Fernades Barasa, Matungu MP Peter Nabulindo, and former Cabinet Secretary Rashid Echesa clashed during a funeral event in Matungu, causing property destruction.

On March 16, supporters of Migori County Governor Ochilo Ayacko confronted Uriri MP Marck Nyamito, who is eyeing the county governor’s seat and attacked his supporters during a football match at Migori Stadium.

On April 3, an angry crowd heckled the National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah during President Ruto’s tour in Nyandarua County.

On April 7, a youth had his hand chopped off with a panga while another sustained deep neck injuries and a fractured arm in a violent confrontation between Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) factions in Ndhiwa, Homa Bay County, during the party’s grassroots elections.

According to political analysts, the tragedy is that allowing political goons to operate can result in a culture of political resistance among the youth on behalf of political leaders, a situation which is not sustainable.