Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that he was the target of a violent attack during a funeral in Limuru, where a gang armed with stones, machetes, and iron bars disrupted the proceedings.
The incident occurred during the burial of Erastus Nduati, forcing mourners, including children, to flee in panic.
Gachagua, who fled the scene under a hail of stones, took to his official X account to condemn the attack and criticized the government for failing to provide security. “This is a very sad state of affairs and a major low for the state, who were clearly complicit in these actions,” he wrote.
The former deputy president, who lost his state-provided security detail following his impeachment earlier this year, argued that the withdrawal of his protection left him vulnerable. “It now looks like the decision to withdraw my security was to leave me exposed to the kind of attack we have witnessed today,” he stated.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with mourners scrambling for safety as the assailants disrupted the funeral. The bereaved family was forced to abandon the burial, marking an unprecedented level of violence at a community event.
Gachagua’s impeachment earlier this year came after a parliamentary investigation accused him of mismanaging public funds and abuse of office. A no-confidence vote sealed his removal from office, but Gachagua has consistently denied the allegations, calling the process politically motivated.
The Limuru attack has sparked public outrage, with Gachagua’s supporters demanding an investigation into the incident. Some have accused the state of orchestrating the violence as part of a broader campaign against the former deputy president, who was once a key ally of President William Ruto.
The government has yet to comment on the incident, but opposition leaders have joined calls for accountability, describing the attack as a failure to ensure the safety of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
Meanwhile, Gachagua has vowed to continue his legal battle to overturn his impeachment and hold the state accountable for what he alleges is targeted harassment. “I will not be silenced,” he declared.
