The aftermath of recent youth-led protests across Kenya has brought to light not only the scale of public unrest but also the raw political undercurrents driving some of the chaos. In Embu County, Governor Cecily Mbarire has escalated the narrative dramatically, leveling serious accusations against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claiming he orchestrated violence to undermine her administration. This bold indictment exposes deepening rifts within the political landscape and ignites a heated debate over the true origins of the destruction witnessed in Embu town and Kiritiri.
Addressing the press after surveying the damaged sites, Governor Mbarire did not mince words. She decried what she described as a "calculated effort" by Gachagua, allegedly in collusion with a faction of local leaders, to incite unrest. The governor asserted that these actions were specifically aimed at destabilizing her leadership and casting doubt on her credentials as an effective administrator. “I am tired of the constant sabotage. These protests were hijacked and weaponized to paint my government as weak, yet we know where the orders were coming from,” a visibly frustrated Mbarire stated, pointing to a deliberate political agenda behind the chaos.
According to Governor Mbarire, the alleged plot to incite violence was conceived during a recent political gathering held in Embu town. This event, organized for the unveiling of aspirants under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) – a political outfit associated with Gachagua – saw Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji endorsed as the party's preferred gubernatorial candidate for the 2027 elections. Governor Mbarire directly accused MP Mukunji of acting as a proxy for Gachagua, spearheading a "divisive and destructive political mission" designed to destabilize the county. She claimed Mukunji was actively involved in mobilizing and coordinating the violent elements that plunged the region into disarray.
The consequences of these alleged machinations were dire. Governor Mbarire reported that 23 people were injured during the protests, including a significant number of 18 police officers, with one officer critically injured and undergoing treatment at Embu Level 5 Hospital. The material damage was equally extensive, affecting both government and private institutions. The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) offices, National Social Security Fund (NSSF) offices, Post Bank, various National Government offices, and even Safaricom’s Embu branch were all extensively vandalized. This widespread destruction points to a calculated effort beyond mere spontaneous protest, aligning with Mbarire’s claims of targeted sabotage.
“These are not mere demonstrations — this is a targeted attack on Embu’s stability and prosperity. I will not allow anyone, regardless of their political stature, to scare away investors or paralyze services,” Mbarire vowed, signaling her resolve to protect the county's developmental trajectory from political machinations. Her accusations bring to the fore the complex interplay between political rivalry and public demonstrations, raising critical questions about the responsibility of political figures in maintaining peace and order.
