Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday praised residents of Kinamba in Naivasha Constituency for what he described as courage in defending their constitutional right to peaceful assembly, after police roadblocks attempted to block him and allied leaders from addressing a public gathering.
Gachagua said the actions by security agencies were unconstitutional and posed a threat to all Kenyans, warning against what he termed growing authoritarianism. “Any oppressive and unconstitutional order to any Kenyan is a threat to the 55 million of us,” he said while addressing supporters who had gathered despite the roadblocks.
He accused unnamed “strongmen” of attempting to suppress dissent and intimidate citizens, insisting that public resistance was legitimate. “To the Kenyan strongmen trying to suppress liberation, be reminded that the voice of the people is the voice of God,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president said police had mounted roadblocks to prevent him from reaching Kinamba, but residents stood their ground and demanded to be heard. “Despite the police roadblocks mounted to block us from reaching and addressing the people of Kinamba in Naivasha Constituency, the people stood and demanded for their rights. We spoke to the people,” he said.
The Kinamba standoff came barely days after Gachagua was attacked while attending a church service in Nyeri, an incident that heightened political tensions and raised concerns over his security. During the church event, chaos erupted as individuals disrupted the service, forcing him to be whisked away by his security team. The incident drew sharp reactions from leaders across the political divide, with calls for investigations and respect for places of worship.
Gachagua framed both incidents as part of a wider struggle for constitutional freedoms, linking the disruption at the church and the Kinamba roadblocks to what he described as a coordinated effort to silence dissenting voices.
He thanked residents for what he termed their bravery, saying their actions would be remembered in Kenya’s political history. He also singled out leaders who accompanied him, praising their role in confronting what he described as intimidation by authorities.
Gachagua mentioned former Attorney General Justin Muturi, Senators John Methu, John Kinyua, Karungo Thang’wa and Joe Nyutu, as well as MPs Jayne Kihara, Gitonga Mukunji, Wanjiku Muhia, Edward Muriu and Amos Mwago. “When the history of this great liberation is written, you will have a kind chapter,” he said.
The rally comes amid rising political tensions and increased scrutiny of police conduct during opposition gatherings, with leaders and civil society groups raising concerns over restrictions on assemblies guaranteed under the Constitution.
Gachagua ended his remarks with a call for unity, saying, “God bless you all, God bless Kenya.”
