Kenya Police Halt Gachagua Allies’ Rally in Nakuru With Tear Gas

Kenyan police on Sunday, 20 July, mounted roadblocks and fired tear-gas to stop politicians allied to former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua from holding a Democratic Change Party rally in Subukia, Nakuru County. Officers blocked several access roads, briefly dispersing the gathering before the leaders relocated and spoke to supporters in Nakuru town. Gachagua’s allies used the event to accuse President William Ruto of mismanaging the economy and creating an environment that deters investors. The confrontation followed a series of overseas meetings in which Gachagua repeated the criticism while visiting Kenyan diaspora groups in the United States. Senior figures in the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition, including former cabinet secretary Mwangi Kiunjuri and Senator Jackson Mandago, dismissed Gachagua’s claims, saying the administration is on track with its development agenda.