Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the attack on a Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) campaign truck in Pembroke, Gilgil, Nakuru County, accusing security agencies of failing to protect his party's campaign activities.
Speaking through a video shared on his social media pages on Saturday, July 11, 2026, Gachagua showed a group of individuals pelting the party's branded sound truck with stones as it travelled to a campaign event before dispersing from the scene.
The DCP leader faulted Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Lagat, claiming he had failed to honour earlier assurances that adequate security would be provided during the campaign period, particularly ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
"They have this afternoon attacked DCP sound truck with guns and teargas," Gachagua said.
DCP Economic Adviser Peter Mbae also condemned the incident, alleging that the attackers were "state-sponsored goons" intent on disrupting the party's campaigns.
"Our DCP truck was attacked and shot at by state goons at Pembroke on the way to Gilgil, suspected to be police officers in civilian clothes travelling in a Prado and a Subaru. They are trying hard to provoke violence in line with their plan of postponing the by-election, but we are not taking the bait. The gang imported for this purpose will have to find something else to do," Mbae claimed.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with allegations of violence, intimidation and voter bribery dominating the campaign period.
Police deny links to criminal gangs
The National Police Service (NPS) has previously dismissed claims that its officers collaborate with criminal gangs.
Speaking during a television interview on Monday, July 6, 2026, Police Spokesperson Michael Muchiri rejected allegations that police officers have been working alongside armed civilians during recent incidents of political violence.
"Absolutely not. Any police officer who is purportedly working with criminals, criminal goons, that is not a police officer," Muchiri said.
"So the answer to that question is police cannot, and police are not working with goons," he added.
His remarks followed the circulation of videos on social media appearing to show police officers at scenes where armed civilians allegedly carried out attacks.
The attack on the DCP campaign truck adds to growing concerns over security during the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns, with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) already warning that continued electoral offences could affect the conduct of the poll.
