A rapid and unpredicted increase of political tension has the former Deputy President and leader of the Democratic for Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua, expressing a severe warning to Public Service Vehicle (PSV) matatu operators, claiming that some of them have been aiding in the transport of hired goons to ruin his public appearances.
Gachagua made the warning during an interview on Kameme FM and Radio on Monday, 12th January, which is really going to bring up the whole issue of violence, which had been attributed to politics for a long time already in the context of the next elections in Kenya in 2027.
Gachagua, as always, in a hurry, claimed that the people who are close to President William Ruto’s government have been secretly organizing groups that use matatus to disturb his rallies and church functions.
He reported that at least 20 PSV vehicles were hired for taking the “goons” to a Gatundu event where they would have a clash with the supporters—such an operation was, according to him, stopped at the last moment by local people.
“If you allow your vehicles to be used by thugs, don’t be surprised if they come back in bad shape,” Gachagua warned the sacco owners in a statement. Political analysts describe this statement as one of the most intense confrontations to date between the opposing sides.
These remarks have come as a huge surprise to the public considering Gachagua had earlier on repeated accusations that his activities in politics were being disrupted all the time by violence.
Only a day before, he had already reported an attempt to stop the church service in Gatundu, where he claimed police were protecting the goons and the event was attended by families, women, and children who were trying to be very quiet, and he was praying with them.
He hailed the local worshippers for their non-cooperation with the authorities’ interference, presenting the fight as part of a larger battle against what Gachagua calls state-sponsored terror. Gachagua’s dire pronouncement to the matatu drivers significantly increases the range of his allegations, aiming at the transport system, which is the core of Kenya’s everyday life and business.
Some analysts believe that the move would escalate the already existing tensions among the important voting blocs of central Kenya, where the transport operators are not only supporting the community but also the politicians. The opposition voices and the government have not yet made any public comments regarding the accusations.
The political landscape of Kenya is becoming more unstable with the dispute developing, which will probably have an impact on the grassroots and the basic services that are to be around the important 2027 elections.
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