Kikuyu MP and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating an early morning blockade of the Southern Bypass ahead of a planned United Opposition rally. Youths blocked the road with burning tyres and stones, attacking motorists and pedestrians before police restored order. The incident follows a heated exchange of letters alleging plots to disrupt the event.
This morning between 5:30am and 6am, groups of youths with covered faces and armed with batons blocked the Southern Bypass in the Thogoto Kiamburi area, PCEA entrance in Kikuyu, and Gitaru. They used burning tyres, stones, and trailers to shut both lanes, attacking motorists and pedestrians. Access to Kikuyu Town was blocked at the railway bridge, while the Dagoretti-Kikuyu road was also closed.
Police later intervened, reopening the road at Gitaru and restoring traffic flow. In an online statement described as a "security update", Ichung’wah named a well-known mobiliser from Ruai as the key operative acting under Gachagua's instructions. He claimed the blockade was a "self-inflicted" act of chaos to portray the government as blocking Gachagua's tour.
"To justify his fake allegations of self-inflicted violence and desire for anarchy, Gachagua, this morning at 5:30am-6am, using his known thug and mobiliser, attempted to blockade the Southern Bypass," Ichung’wah wrote. He warned against allowing "anarchy and disruption of business".
The morning chaos followed an exchange of letters on Friday. Gachagua's Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, alleging senior officers met on April 9 at Kentmere Club to plan disruptions. Ichung’wah responded, dismissing the claims as incitement and urging no withdrawal of security from Kikuyu Town.