Tension gripped Kirinyaga County on Monday after hundreds of residents took to the streets to protest against former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of disrespecting Governor Anne Waiguru.
Videos and images seen by Channel 15 News captured scenes of protesters—mostly women—chanting pro-Waiguru slogans and carrying placards condemning Gachagua for what they termed as “an unprovoked verbal assault” on the county boss.
The demonstrators, who identified themselves as loyal supporters of Governor Waiguru, lit bonfires and temporarily blocked the busy Kutus–Samson Road, causing heavy traffic disruption before police moved in to disperse the crowd.
Some of the placards read, “Respect Women Leaders”, “The Choice is Ours”, and “Hands Off Waiguru”, underscoring their anger over remarks Gachagua allegedly made during a church service in the county on Sunday.
According to sources, Gachagua’s speech touched on governance issues in Kirinyaga, a move that has reignited simmering political tensions between him and Waiguru, who has recently been positioning herself as one of the leading female figures in Mt. Kenya politics.
By press time, neither Gachagua nor Governor Waiguru had issued an official statement regarding the demonstrations, though political observers say the incident reflects widening political cracks in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of 2027.
