Rigathi Gachagua Forced to Flee as Police Teargas His Rally in Dramatic Narok Standoff
A tense standoff unfolded in Narok town on Monday, November 24, after Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua was caught in a cloud of teargas allegedly fired by police officers attempting to break up his campaign rally.
Witnesses reported an unusually heavy police presence hours before Gachagua’s arrival, with roadblocks mounted on key routes leading into the town. Local reports indicated that security officials appeared prepared to prevent the former Deputy President from entering Narok as political temperatures rose ahead of the November 27 by-elections.
Despite the heightened security, Gachagua managed to access the town while wearing a black protective helmet—an apparent precaution after receiving information about the police deployment. However, barely minutes into addressing residents, officers moved in, releasing rounds of teargas that sent crowds scattering in all directions.
The incident occurred just as Gachagua’s supporters began chanting anti-government slogans. A teargas canister was thrown toward his convoy, forcing him and his team to retreat. No injuries were reported, though some youths at the scene attempted to defy police orders in a bid to continue listening to the opposition leader.
Gachagua had travelled to Narok to deliver a final show of support for DCP’s Narok Ward candidate, Douglas Masikonde, on the last day of campaigns. The contest pits Masikonde against United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Robert Kanyinge Ole Kudate in what is expected to be a closely watched battle between the ruling party and the opposition.
Following the confrontation, Gachagua released a strongly worded statement accusing the government of orchestrating a deliberate attempt to frustrate his campaign activities.
“Clear instructions had been issued by this cowardly and brutal regime to block me and my entourage from accessing Narok Town to campaign for the DCP candidate, Hon. Douglas Masikonde,” he claimed.
He went on to praise the residents who turned out to receive him despite the clashes, insisting that public resolve would outmatch state force.
“The people, a people united, are stronger than all roadblocks, than all bullets, than all stones, than all teargas you have in store… No amount of blood money, police brutality or excessive force will intimidate the people of the Republic of Kenya,” he stated.
The Narok Town Ward by-election is one of several tense local races taking place this week. Both UDA and opposition parties are also locked in a fierce contest in other hotspots, including Mbeere North, where voters are preparing for a tightly contested parliamentary by-election.
As authorities remain silent on the events in Narok, political observers warn that Monday’s confrontation underscores growing friction between state agencies and opposition movements ahead of the crucial vote.
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Rigathi Gachagua Forced to Flee as Police Teargas His Rally in Dramatic Narok Standoff