Detectives in Embu have launched investigations into the violent disruption of a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) delegates’ meeting at Nembure Grounds, with two suspects already arrested as the crackdown on those behind the chaos intensifies.
The unrest occurred during a meeting presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and attended by senior national and county government leaders.
The incident left one person dead and several police officers injured. Several motor vehicles were also torched after groups of youths engaged security officers in running battles before the situation was brought under control.
In a statement on Sunday, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the violence.
“Two suspects have already been arrested in connection with the incident,” the DCI said.
Detectives are continuing with investigations and pursuing additional suspects linked to criminal acts committed during the unrest.
The DCI warned that political differences should not be used to justify violence or destruction of property.
“The DCI warns that political differences must never become a licence for lawlessness. No grievance, disagreement or political affiliation places anyone above the law,” the agency said.
The DCI said individuals involved in attacks, arson, destruction of property, road blockades and assaults on police officers would be pursued and brought to justice.
Kindiki, Gachagua trade accusations
The Embu violence has also triggered a political exchange between Kindiki and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Kindiki dismissed allegations by Gachagua that bribery contributed to the chaos witnessed during the political event.
The Deputy President told Gachagua to stop insulting residents of the Mt Kenya region and rejected claims that residents could be influenced through money.
“Nobody can bribe them to do anything they wouldn’t want to do. No mountain will be divided, maybe in your evil dreams,” Kindiki said.
Kindiki maintained that the GEMA community remains united and said neither he nor Gachagua was responsible for that unity.
“Me and you found the GEMA united, it will forever remain so, and you have zero capacity to unite anything. Wachana na Mountain, it has its ways of remaining intact. Tafuta sera, let’s meet at the BALLOT,” he said.
Kindiki also accused Gachagua of pursuing what he described as a “trap-making agenda” and warned him against dragging him into political disputes involving other people.
“Concentrate on your trap-making agenda, wachana na FAYA MAN. Hata sijaanza…. You will soon realize how stupid it was to bring your fights with other people to me,” Kindiki said.
Gachagua alleges Mukunji targeted
Gachagua had earlier claimed that Embu MP Gitonga Mukunji was being targeted for arrest following the violence.
He accused Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire of using police officers to intimidate the lawmaker.
In a statement shared on Sunday, September 13, 2026, Gachagua claimed that hundreds of police officers had been deployed around Mukunji’s home with instructions to arrest him.
He further alleged that Kindiki had sent Mukunji a WhatsApp message threatening to take action against him following the incident.
“The harassment of Hon. Gitonga Mukunji by Kithure Kindiki and Cecily Mbarire is unacceptable,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President claimed that the government was seeking to portray Mukunji as having organised groups that disrupted the political meeting.
He instead attributed the clashes to the alleged locking out of thousands of residents from Nembure Stadium, where the political meeting was taking place.
Gachagua also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using money and government machinery to influence residents in the Mt Kenya East region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He warned President William Ruto against spending government resources in the region, arguing that such efforts would not guarantee political support.
“My advice to Mr William Ruto is to take his money elsewhere as any money spent in the mountain is of no consequence, just as it happened in Ol Kalou,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua further alleged that Mukunji could be arrested while attending church and said he had mobilised lawyers to represent him if the arrest took place.
“I want to assure DCP supporters that I have mobilised our lawyers to defend Mukunji once arrested in church where he will attend,” he said.
The former Deputy President warned that Mukunji’s arrest could instead strengthen opposition support in the region and advance his political ambitions ahead of the 2027 elections.
He urged the lawmaker to remain firm and resist what he described as government intimidation.
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