Political tensions briefly flared in Igembe after a public visit by Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua was disrupted by a section of the crowd, forcing the event to end earlier than planned.
The former deputy president had travelled to the area as part of his ongoing grassroots tours, which are aimed at engaging residents and discussing current political developments as well as issues affecting the region. Supporters had gathered to listen to his address when the situation began to shift shortly after his convoy arrived at the venue.
Witnesses said the disruption started when a small group of youths began chanting the slogan “TUTAM.” The chants quickly attracted attention and spread through parts of the crowd, creating a tense and noisy environment that made it difficult for organizers to maintain order during the gathering.
As more people joined in, the noise levels rose significantly, making it hard for speakers to communicate with the audience. The growing commotion forced Gachagua’s team to temporarily halt the planned engagement while security officers attempted to calm the situation.
Reports from the scene indicated that the heckling intensified as some individuals shouted slogans believed to be associated with rival political factions. The chants triggered mixed reactions among those present, with some residents trying to remain attentive to the meeting while others continued shouting.
The confusion eventually made it impossible for the event to continue in an orderly manner. Security officers responded by forming a protective space around the visiting leader while monitoring the restless crowd.
Videos shared online later showed officers escorting Gachagua away from the gathering as the chants continued in the background. Allies of the former deputy president later claimed the disruption had been orchestrated by political opponents seeking to prevent him from addressing residents.
They maintained that the incident would not deter his political engagements, saying he would continue visiting different parts of the country to interact with supporters and discuss regional and national issues.