The clergy and the political class in Embu County have condemned the chaos that erupted during UDA’s delegates meeting at Nembure Stadium on Saturday that was chaired by Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
The chaos reportedly resulted in the deaths of two young men, though authorities are yet to confirm, while three police officers were injured and six vehicles burnt down, according to the police, after residents who were locked out of the venue began pelting stones, triggering running battles with the police.
Led by Embu Catholic Diocese Head Bishop Peter Kimani, the leaders called for peaceful campaign meetings across the county and called on residents to refuse to be used by politicians to fight one another.
Bishop Kimani appealed to politicians to observe restraint and tolerance to prevent such an occurrence in the future, saying that no one should lose their life on account of political contestation.
Speaking after conducting Sunday Mass at Itabua Catholic Church in Embu Town, Bishop Kimani condemned the growing culture of forcing political support through violence and intimidation.
“It is saddening to see lives being lost over temporal things such as politics,” he stated while calling on leaders to safeguard peace and national cohesion as the country prepares for 2027 general elections.
He also appealed to the young people to reject the temptation of being used as agents of political violence in exchange for handouts.
Embu Senator Alexander Mundigi, speaking at a separate church service, asked leaders to remain united and work for the good of the people while asking residents to refuse to be used to fighting and insulting one another.
He said every politician deserves an opportunity to present his/her manifesto, vision, and agenda to the people and allow the people to make their choices freely and peacefully on who to elect at the ballot.
“Politics should at no one point destroy the unity and peace we have enjoyed for a long time. Let us compete with respect and remain united before, during, and after elections,” he said.
Runyenjes MP Muchangi Karemba, in a post on his social media pages, said political meetings must never be turned into grounds of violence.
He also called for a stoppage of further meetings at the venue until adequate measures are put in place to guarantee the safety of residents and participants.
He also called on immediate, impartial, and thorough investigations into the incident and those who will be found responsible to face the law regardless of their position or affiliation.
At the same time, detectives are said to have pitched a tent at Manyatta MP John Mwaniki’s residence in Mutunduri from Sunday morning, allegedly seeking to arrest him over his alleged link to the chaos.
By Samuel Waititu
