Former DP Rigathi Gachagua addresses the crowd at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua on Saturday, December 28, 2024.Events at a thanksgiving function in Nyandarua attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday took a dramatic turn after a teargas canister was hauled to the podium near the VIP tent.
The thanksgiving prayer service held at Shamata grounds attended by several other politicians was calm before hell suddenly broke loose.
It was Nyandarua Senator John Methu's turn to speak before suddenly, a tear gas canister was thrown just meters away from where he was standing, prompting guests to scamper for safety as smoke started billowing from the canister.
Videos shared online show Methu remained unmoved, seemingly unbothered as the entire VIP section took to their heels.
It remained unclear who threw the teargas canister. Calm returned after a while and the event continued uninterrupted.
Gachagua expressed gratitude to area residents and guests for their "resilience" amid the ensuing panic and commotion.
He said whoever threw the tear gas canister did so "despite the fact that the prayers were peaceful and everyone was calm".
"I want to acknowledge the courage of everyone who attended this event, ensuring that despite this attack, the prayers continued to their focal conclusion," he said.
The former DP also praised Shamata residents who took immediate action to protect the gathering.
"I also want to thank the residents of Shamata for taking charge of the meeting and escorting the attackers out, while ensuring the safety of women and children present," he said.
Meanwhile, Gachagua did not hold back criticism of the police, who he alleged were being complicit in political machinations.
"Why do you allow yourselves to be used for political purposes?" he asked, alleging that there was a uniformed inspector and another officer in plainclothes at the event when the teargas was thrown.
On November 28, suspected goons disrupted a funeral ceremony in Limuru attended by the former Deputy President.
He was whisked to safety but vehicles in his convoy were damaged.
