Chaos as Goons Attack Opposition Rally in Gilgil, Residents Flee for Safety
Tension and confusion rocked Gilgil town in Nakuru County on Tuesday afternoon after a group of suspected hired goons stormed a United Opposition rally, forcing residents to flee for safety.
The event, which had attracted hundreds of supporters, quickly turned chaotic as violence broke out in the middle of speeches.
The rally was being led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was accompanied by other key opposition figures, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP-Kenya Party leader Eugene Wamalwa. The leaders had gathered to mobilize public support for the opposition movement ahead of the 2027 general elections, drawing large crowds of residents who lined the roadside to listen.
The chaos began shortly after Eugene Wamalwa took the microphone to address the gathering. Witnesses said that barely a few minutes into his speech, a group of unruly youths charged toward the crowd, throwing stones and attacking people who had gathered near the stage.
Panic spread quickly as residents scattered in different directions, trying to protect themselves from the assault. The rally was brought to an abrupt halt as the situation spiraled out of control.
Videos shared online showed Rigathi Gachagua and other opposition leaders standing on top of their vehicles, visibly alarmed, as the crowd dispersed.
Many people were seen running for shelter in nearby buildings and shops to escape the violent confrontation.
In the aftermath, opposition leaders pointed fingers at local leaders allied to President William Ruto’s administration, accusing them of masterminding the attack to silence the opposition’s growing influence in the Rift Valley region.
Speaking angrily after calm was restored, Eugene Wamalwa directly blamed Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, accusing her of hiring the goons who disrupted the rally.
Wamalwa dismissed her as a “one-term governor,” warning that the people of Nakuru would eventually reject leaders who use intimidation to suppress political competition.
This was not the first time an opposition meeting in Gilgil had been violently disrupted. In August this year, a separate meeting involving allies of Rigathi Gachagua was also broken up after police officers stormed the venue and dispersed residents using tear gas.
The rally, which had been organized by Nyandarua Senator John Methu and other pro-Gachagua leaders, ended abruptly as chaos erupted.
During that earlier confrontation, a boda boda rider was reportedly shot in the leg by individuals believed to be police officers and was rushed to hospital for treatment.
Several others sustained injuries during the confrontation, which occurred while Gachagua was away in the United States for a two-month fundraising and community engagement tour.
The latest incident in Gilgil has once again raised concerns about the rising political intolerance and the growing tension between government and opposition supporters as the 2027 elections draw closer.
Many residents have condemned the violence, urging political leaders to promote peaceful campaigns and allow freedom of assembly for all sides.
Despite the disruption, opposition leaders have vowed not to be intimidated, insisting that they will continue touring the country to share their message and engage with ordinary Kenyans on matters affecting their lives.
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