A political rally in Lanet, Njoro, on March 17, 2026, turned chaotic after a man was violently attacked by security personnel attached to Rigathi Gachagua, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). The incident, captured on video and widely shared online, has reignited debate over Gachagua’s leadership style and the growing culture of intolerance in Kenya’s political arena.
The footage shows Gachagua addressing a crowd of supporters, asking, “si mlinipigia kura?” as he sought to energize his base. Among the audience, a man raised two fingers and shouted “tutam… two… tutam,” a chant interpreted as support for a rival political faction. Within seconds, a man dressed in jungle-green attire and a beige cap, believed to be part of Gachagua’s security detail, lunged at the heckler, grabbing him by the jacket and striking him repeatedly. The victim’s cries for help pierced through the rally’s noise as onlookers watched in shock.
The attack casts a harsh light on Gachagua’s image as a leader whose rallies often teeter on the edge of violence, with the latest incident reflecting a broader pattern of aggression and intolerance surrounding the DCP leader, who has been accused in the past of using intimidation to silence dissent.
Gachagua, once Kenya’s Deputy President before his impeachment in 2024, has sought to reinvent himself as a populist opposition figure. His speeches often blend fiery rhetoric with appeals to grassroots frustrations, positioning himself as a defender of “the people” against what he calls a corrupt establishment. Ironically, the events in Njoro suggest that his politics breeds fear rather than empowerment.
During the same rally, Gachagua dismissed concerns about the integrity of the upcoming 2027 elections, telling IEBC that decentralised vote counting would prevent rigging. However, the violent episode overshadowed his message, raising questions about whether his leadership can foster democratic engagement or merely deepen divisions.
Human rights advocates have condemned the assault, calling for an investigation into the conduct of Gachagua’s security team.
