2 hospitalised after chaos at Gachagua rally in Othaya
Two people were injured after chaos erupted at a Kenya Kwanza rally in Othaya, Nyeri, on Tuesday, June 8, 2022.
A scuffle ensued after supporters of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party and those of the Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) clashed. The two parties are members of the Kenya Kwanza coalition that supports Deputy President William Ruto's presidential bid.
The Tuesday rally was led by Ruto's running mate Rigathi Gachagua.
The injured persons were women attending the rally. They were rushed to Mwai Kibaki Level six hospital in Othaya for treatment.
"We were holding Ngunjiri's banners when a group of men attacked us and took the banners away from us then started raining blows on us, what wrong did we do and we support the same presidential candidate?" one of those attacked posed.
Candidates in Othaya
According to those who witnessed the incident, a group of young men in yellow T-shirts started attacking those who were lifting the CCK party banners, as they shouted that they want a six-piece suit in all seats.
"They were shouting UDA and some of them were carrying sticks which they used to beat us and even seeking help from police who were at the rally, they said that those are political issues," a CCK party said.
Patrick Ngunjiri, the CCK parliamentary candidate in Othaya Constituency, urged DP Ruto to take action against the leaders behind the attack.
While threatening to ditch the Ruto camp, Ngunjiri demanded that the party revokes the alleged perpetrator's nomination certificates.
" We want the law to take its course. We want the attackers to be arrested and action taken. We are also urging the deputy president to take action against the leaders who are perpetrating attacks in our meetings or else we will just withdraw from the Kenya Kwanza rallies and go on with our campaigns," Ngunjiri said.
During the tour dubbed 'Mt. Kenya Hustler Express', Gachagua urged the residents to vote for the UDA candidates. He argued that doing so would make it easier for Ruto to rule if he wins the presidency in August.
"We are not supporting independent candidates, we are urging our supporters to give us UDA leaders from top to bottom. Those we can work together with ease," he added.
Simon Ngatia, who is seeking the Tetu parliamentary seat on the CCK party ticket, dismissed the six-piece voting calls urging residents to vote for individuals and not parties.
"Even if we are in Kenya Kwanza, we want to inform those calling for electing of candidates from one party that we are electing individuals based on their capacity to deliver and not on party's popularity," Ngatia quipped.
Moses Kuria, the leader of the CCK party, was among the leaders present.
