Rigathi Gachagua Flees Violent Funeral Attack, Blames State for Security Lapse

In a hurry? Here’s a quick summary…

• Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua fled a funeral in Limuru after goons disrupted the event, attacking mourners with crude weapons.
• He blamed the State for withdrawing his security, leaving him vulnerable, and condemned the violence as a shameful act.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has addressed a harrowing incident that unfolded on Thursday during a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County. 

Chaos erupted when a group of goons disrupted the event, attacking mourners indiscriminately and forcing Gachagua to flee for safety.

In a detailed statement shared on X, Gachagua suggested that the State might have orchestrated the attack by withdrawing his security detail earlier in the week. 

He expressed disappointment over the move, emphasizing that it left him vulnerable to such incidents. 

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“Earlier this week, the government withdrew the final aspects of my security that had remained after the impeachment process we are contesting,” he wrote. 

“We did not raise an issue with this decision, although it is expected that any Kenyan who has served at my level in government would retain some security after leaving office.”

Gachagua claimed the withdrawal was deliberate, aiming to expose him to harm. “It now looks like the decision to withdraw my security was to leave me exposed to the kind of attack we witnessed today,” he stated.

Recounting the distressing scene, Gachagua said the attackers targeted him and the mourners with crude weapons during the funeral of Erastus Nduati. 

“While preparing to lay the young man to rest, goons attacked us and other mourners, including women and children,” he revealed. 

Armed with stones, machetes, iron bars, and sticks, the assailants unleashed violence indiscriminately. 

“They descended on mourners and attacked them using the weapons they had. A specific group followed me to my car, which they pelted with stones and iron bars. We drove out of the venue under a hail of rocks.”

The former Deputy President expressed deep concern over the incident, condemning what he termed as State complicity. 

“This is a very sad state of affairs and a major low for the State, which was clearly complicit in these actions,” he said. 

Gachagua sympathized with the grieving family, noting their heartbreak was compounded by the need to flee for safety during such a solemn moment.

Despite the ordeal, Gachagua vowed not to be intimidated. “We will not be scared away from standing with Kenyans who need us to support them in their moments of need,” he affirmed. 

He called for accountability, expressing hope that such a “terrible moment of shame” would not recur.