Chaos at the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) launch has triggered national concern. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is now pointing fingers at supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
According to Murkomen, the National Police Service (NPS) was not alerted about the party’s launch held in Lavington, Nairobi. Without police presence, a peaceful event turned violent. Gunshots were fired. Attendees fled. Journalists were intimidated.
Murkomen has made it clear that while Gachagua had every right to form a party, he and his team failed to follow proper security protocols. This article explores the events and the accusations that followed.
Murkomen Accuses Gachagua’s Camp of Failing to Ensure Security
Speaking in Isiolo on Thursday, May 15, Murkomen emphasized the importance of political freedoms but criticized the manner in which the DCP launch was conducted. He said the government supports democracy, but no one is above the law.
“As the national security team, we believe that the stability of our country is based on having a working democracy that allows everybody to exercise their political rights free from interference,” Murkomen stated.
He revealed that after asking the National Police Service, there was no record of a formal request from Gachagua’s team to provide security for the DCP event. This, he said, was a critical oversight.
Without police presence, the event descended into disorder. After Gachagua and other leaders left, individuals in plain clothes allegedly fired into the air, prompting a stampede. Others were seen beating up attendees. Journalists also reported harassment.
Murkomen said investigations had begun and strongly implied that the violence may have come from within Gachagua’s own team.
“Preliminary investigations also indicate some of these supporters at this function were expecting to be paid an amount, and as a result of fighting for these resources, there was a melee,” he revealed.
He added that authorities were working to identify those who fired weapons and understand their motives.
Unpaid Supporters Blamed for the Chaos
Murkomen’s statement suggests that the DCP chaos may have been triggered by unmet expectations. He hinted that some individuals showed up expecting compensation, likely for their participation or support during the launch.
The chaos reportedly began as disagreements turned physical. What was meant to be a show of unity for a new political movement instead ended with scenes of people fleeing for safety.
“The fighting was among people from Gachagua’s own camp. It was not politically instigated from outside,” a government source claimed anonymously.
Supporters who felt cheated allegedly began demanding answers and, in the heat of the moment, some took matters into their own hands. Shots were fired into the air, adding fear and confusion. In the absence of uniformed officers, panic quickly spread.
This is not the first time a Gachagua-led event has ended in disorder. Just weeks earlier, a similar scene played out at a church in Mwiki where Gachagua was in attendance. His security team again fired in the air, and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) later criticized his failure to alert local authorities beforehand.
Gachagua’s Political Moves Under Scrutiny
The chaos at the DCP launch comes at a critical time for Rigathi Gachagua, who is positioning himself as a key player in Kenya’s political future. His split from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) has raised eyebrows. His move to launch the DCP signals the beginning of a new political journey, but the messy launch has tainted its start.
Murkomen’s criticism may also reflect deeper tensions within the government, as internal power struggles continue to play out publicly. While Murkomen stopped short of accusing Gachagua directly, his focus on Gachagua’s team and their failure to follow security protocols paints a clear picture.
Security experts say that notifying the police of a public gathering is not optional—it is a legal and practical requirement meant to protect attendees and the public. Failing to do so not only puts lives at risk but also invites blame when things go wrong.
Despite the chaos, Gachagua and his party plan to move forward. A bigger launch event is scheduled for June 4. Interim deputy party leader Cleophas Malala has urged supporters to attend in large numbers.
However, after the DCP chaos in Lavington, all eyes will be on whether this next event is handled more professionally. Kenyans will also be watching closely to see if the investigations lead to arrests and if Murkomen’s claims are proven true.
