Murkomen reveals cause of commotion during Gachagua’s DCP Party launch
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has revealed the cause of the commotion witnessed during the launch of the party of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Lavington.
Speaking to journalists after a security meeting in Isiolo on Thursday, May 15, 2025, Murkomen indicated that the melee was occasioned by a dispute over money distributed to supporters.
“Our National Police Service are carrying out investigations to see what exactly happened when those political leaders were launching their own political party. There is no indication that the National Police Service were notified about this meeting so that they can provide proper security,” Murkomen said.
Struggling over money
“Preliminary investigations also indicate that some of the supporters who were invited to come for this function were expecting to be paid some amount, and as a result of fighting over those resources, there was a melee, which unfortunately led to a stampede,” he added.
The Interior CS also revealed that several people were caught up in the chaos and that police were probing the identities of the men seen calming the crowd by shooting in the air.
“It is unfortunate that some of the journalists were caught up in the melee, and some people in civilian clothes drew their guns and fired in the air. Investigations will go on to establish who exactly they were and why they did what they did,” Murkomen assured.
He appealed to leaders across the political divide to request police presence during their public forums, stating that this could prevent injuries to members of the public.
Police presence
“We would like to ask all leaders, regardless of their political affiliations, to seek the services of the National Police Service when they are having public events to secure and protect the public,” Murkomen stated.
“Even when they are paying their supporters, because it is allowed by law, they should be able to do it in an organised manner that is not going to cause a stampede.”
Chaos briefly erupted in Lavington after Gachagua and his entourage left the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) Party headquarters.
The melee, which lasted a few minutes, resulted in injuries to supporters and a section of journalists who were present at the function to cover the launch
Before that, however, Gachagua had officially launched the DCP at a colourfully branded headquarters, complete with a neon green and white theme and the slogan Skiza Wakenya (Listen to Kenyans).
