Anti-riot police were stationed outside the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters on Kiambu Road ahead of the arrival of Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa for questioning in connection with the chaotic events that unfolded during a funeral in Limuru. Authorities also confirmed that former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, who was present at the funeral, is also expected to face grilling as part of the ongoing investigation.
The heightened security, including water cannons, was put in place as a precautionary measure following concerns over potential disturbances. Police sources stated that the increased presence of officers at the Mazingira Building was to manage any crowd control, following a brief appearance of a crowd in Nyeri on Wednesday when Thangwa appeared before detectives. That gathering had resulted in chants of anti-government slogans, which raised further security concerns.
Thangwa, who is allied with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has been outspoken about the summons, describing them as an attempt at intimidation by the government. Along with other leaders in his camp, Thangwa has suggested that the investigation is politically motivated.
Mwathi also confirmed that he had received a summons from the DCI. He was present during the incident on Thursday, November 28, at the funeral of Erastus Nduati in Bibirioni village, Limuru, where chaos erupted as unknown individuals disrupted the proceedings, injuring several mourners and causing extensive property damage. The police have stated that investigations are ongoing to identify both the perpetrators and any potential instigators of the violence.
In his statement, DCI Director Mohamed Amin emphasized that the investigation was being treated with utmost seriousness, and that action would be taken against those responsible for the disruption. He called for any witnesses or individuals with pertinent information to come forward and report to the police.
Meanwhile, police spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango denied rumors that Mwathi had been arrested, clarifying that he was not considered a person of interest in the case. The incident occurred while Mwathi was addressing mourners at Bibirioni Boys High School, Limuru, when objects were hurled at the crowd, forcing attendees to scatter for safety. Onyango confirmed that only one formal complaint had been received about the property damage.
The chaotic scenes at the funeral, in which several mourners were injured, have sparked concerns about the level of planning behind the violence. Gachagua, who had been attending the burial, escaped unharmed but accused the state of being complicit in the incident, alleging that it was part of a broader plot to eliminate him. Gachagua had earlier in the week accused the government of withdrawing his security detail, suggesting that the move was intended to facilitate such an attack.
Both Thangwa and Gachagua have claimed that the chaos during the burial was part of an orchestrated plan to target the former Deputy President. Thangwa, alongside his Nyandarua counterpart John Methu, visited the DCI headquarters earlier this week to demand a swift and transparent investigation into the events, asserting that the incident appeared premeditated.
As the investigation continues, police have urged anyone with information about the incident to come forward and assist in identifying those responsible for the disruption at the Limuru funeral. The DCI has vowed to remain impartial in its investigation, with a commitment to uphold the rule of law and bring those behind the chaos to justice.
