Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was caught up in a tense security incident on Friday after police fired teargas at his motorcade near Sagana as he travelled to Kirinyaga County for a political engagement.
The incident happened along a busy stretch of road, causing confusion and fear among supporters who were escorting him, as well as motorists using the highway.
Leaders allied to Gachagua said the convoy was moving peacefully when police officers suddenly released teargas, forcing vehicles to slow down and disperse briefly.
One of the leaders accompanying him said the action took them by surprise, noting that there was no clear warning before the teargas was thrown.
While authorities have not officially explained the move, some members of the convoy claimed police were trying to control the noise created by supporters who were chanting and hooting as they passed through the area.
Photos and videos that later emerged online showed teargas canisters scattered on the road and vehicles with broken windows, suggesting that the situation quickly turned chaotic.
Despite the disruption, Gachagua continued with his journey and eventually arrived in Kagio, where he addressed a waiting crowd. No serious injuries were reported.
This is not an isolated case. In recent months, Gachagua’s political activities across different parts of the country have been met with resistance, often involving police action or clashes between rival groups.
In Nyeri town, tensions flared shortly before his arrival when groups opposed to his visit attempted to block access roads.
A brief confrontation followed before calm was restored. Similar scenes were witnessed in Narok in November 2025, when police erected roadblocks to stop him and his allies from entering the town during a by-election campaign.
On that occasion, Gachagua used alternative routes to reach his destination, but police later dispersed the gathering using teargas.
During several of these incidents, he has been seen wearing protective gear, including a helmet and bulletproof vest, to shield himself from possible attacks.
Another dramatic episode occurred in Nairobi’s Kariobangi North, where a church service he attended was disrupted by youths armed with crude weapons. Several people were injured, raising fresh concerns about the safety of political gatherings.
Gachagua has repeatedly accused his critics of using state machinery to intimidate him and frustrate his growing political movement.
His supporters argue that the repeated disruptions point to shrinking political tolerance and have called on authorities to guarantee equal treatment for all leaders.