Wamuzi News Ke
In a dramatic escalation of state action, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) has approved terrorism charges against two close associates of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over an alleged arson attack on government offices in Kiambu County.
Allegations Detail Wide-Ranging Destruction
According to the charge sheet served in court by the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit and endorsed by the DPP, Peter Kinyanjui Kawanjiru and Serah Wanjiku Thiga stand accused of orchestrating deliberate damage on June 25 at multiple public buildings. The targeted sites include the Kikuyu Law Courts, Probation Office, Sub-County administration blocks, Chief’s Office, Registrar of Persons, Education Department, Lands Office, Dagoretti Police Post, and the Deputy County Commissioner’s office—altogether deemed a “terrorist act” under Kenyan law.
Night Arrest Sparks Accusations of Heavy-Handedness
The crackdown began in the dead of night. On July 1, ten unmarked vehicles, armed plainclothes officers, and a sudden blackout descended on Kawanjiru’s Limuru home. Witnesses described a chaotic scene—broken doors, scattered belongings, and panicked family members—as Kawanjiru was marched off to custody around 8:30pm.
Despite his initial court appearance and subsequent bond release, authorities immediately rearrested him outside Ruiru Court. Graphic footage shows anti-terror officers dragging him into a van amid shouts and gunfire, as stunned family and supporters watched helplessly.
Political Fallout and Judicial Pressure
This startling legal development further intensifies political tensions. Both suspects are identified as staunch allies of Rigathi Gachagua—a vocal critic of President Ruto’s administration. Their Glasgow-style arrest triggered immediate backlash from local rights groups and opposition figures, who accuse the government of weaponizing anti-terror laws for political ends.
Gachagua loyalists argue the charges are overblown, pointing to the mass arrests and forceful rearrest as signs of intimidation rather than legitimate law enforcement.
The Stakes Ahead
As Kawanjiru and Thiga prepare to defend against terrorism charges, observers raise significant constitutional concerns. Will the courts allow state use of counterterrorism statutes in politically charged contexts? And how will the judiciary weigh public order versus political freedom in a climate already strained by ongoing protests?
Set for fast-tracked hearings, this case promises to mark a pivotal moment in Kenya’s legal and political landscape. The outcome could redefine the boundaries of state power, judicial independence, and the protection of civil liberties.
What to Watch
- Detailed court filings expected later today.
- Formal statements from the DPP and ATPU explaining the legal basis.
- Responses from Gachagua camp and civil society leaders.
- Implications for upcoming hearings and the broader Saba Saba protest environment.
