Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to arrest him over allegations linking him to the outlawed Mungiki sect, insisting the government should act instead of making what he termed empty threats.
Speaking during DCP’s “Meet the People” tour in Embu on Saturday, Gachagua dismissed claims that young people from the Mt. Kenya region were members of the outlawed sect, saying they were only protecting their communities from criminal gangs.
The former Deputy President accused Murkomen of unfairly profiling Mt. Kenya youths after they resisted what he described as attempts by hired goons to disrupt opposition activities.
“Huyu kijana wa Ruto anaitwa Murkomen, jana anaita vijana wetu Mungiki kwa sababu tumesema hakuna siku tutakubalia goons kuja hapa kuvuruga mikutano yetu na kusumbua watu hapa Mlimani,” Gachagua said.
He then challenged the Interior CS to follow through on his remarks by arresting him.
“Wewe hapana tisha sisi, kama wewe ni mwanaume si ukamate Riggy G upeleke kwa cell. Kwa mwaka mmoja umetisha Riggy G, oh, utatuona, mara tutakushika…unangoja nini? Si unishike uonane na hawa watu wa Mlima Kenya. Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, si ukuje unikamate…mimi niko na jeshi, vijana si mko?” he said.
Gachagua argued that communities have a right to defend themselves if the government fails to guarantee their security, accusing the state of allowing criminal gangs to intimidate residents.
He further claimed that youth in the Mt. Kenya region would continue safeguarding political meetings, churches, businesses and community leaders from disruption.
“Tumesema vijana wetu watalinda mikutano yetu, makanisa yetu, viongozi wao na biashara zetu. Sasa wewe Murkomen ulikua unatuma wahuni na polisi kupiga na kuumiza watu hapa na kuharibu mali, lakini pale Ol Kalou tulikuonyesha kivumbi. Vijana walijipanga wakapiga wahuni wakawatorosha wote na polisi ulituma wakafukuzwa ndio sasa unalia ati polisi watapigwa,” he said.
The DCP leader also challenged Murkomen to deploy alleged goons to the region, insisting local youths were prepared to defend their communities.
“Hapa mlimani kama wewe ni mwanaume tuma goons leo uonane na watu wa mlima kenya. Hiyo maneno mmezoea kubandika sisi majina, ati ukasema hawa wakikuyu ni Muingiki ndio muanze kuumiza vijana. Hawa ni vijana wetu na si Mungiki na si wahuni,” he stated.
Gachagua accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of branding entire communities with criminal labels to justify the use of excessive force by security agencies.
He maintained that the young people being accused were ordinary residents protecting their livelihoods and families.
“Murkomen, you have pushed us to the wall and if the government cannot protect us, we will protect ourselves as a community; we have a right to self-defence, and we shall protect ourselves from goons and the police. Those young men you are calling Mungiki, shame on you! They are here to protect their businesses, our churches, women,” Gachagua said.
“They are not criminals; they are people who have taken a firm stance to protect their community, their churches, their leaders, their women and what the community believes in.”
He concluded by vowing that political gatherings in the Mt. Kenya region would no longer be disrupted by criminal gangs or security officers.
“As a leader of this community, I have said that never again will goons and police be sent here to bring chaos and disrupt peace in Mt Kenya.”
Gachagua’s remarks came a day after Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen accused the former Deputy President of mobilising members of the outlawed Mungiki sect and using criminal gangs to intimidate government officials and political opponents.
