A fresh political storm is brewing in Kiambu County after Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa launched a scathing attack on Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, accusing him of using state machinery to block an opposition rally and intimidate residents.
In a strongly worded statement, Thang’wa claimed that events witnessed in Kikuyu were not accidental but part of a calculated plan to suppress political expression. He alleged that police officers were deployed strategically to disrupt a planned address by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his allies.
According to the senator, the decision by opposition leaders to address supporters along the highway instead of entering Kikuyu Town was informed by intelligence reports indicating a planned crackdown.
“Not entering Kikuyu Town was not fear. It was strategy. We had intelligence that exits would be sealed off and chaos unleashed,” Thang’wa stated.
He further accused Ichung’wah of celebrating the alleged use of force against civilians, terming the actions as a betrayal of leadership and public trust. Thang’wa argued that leaders should protect citizens rather than subject them to intimidation.
The senator also questioned Ichung’wah’s connection with ordinary wananchi, claiming the MP’s leadership is detached from the realities faced by residents. He alleged that the Kikuyu legislator relies heavily on state power rather than grassroots support to maintain political influence.
Thang’wa maintained that the opposition’s decision to hold their address outside the town centre helped avert what he described as a potentially dangerous situation. He insisted that the move ensured the safety of both leaders and supporters who had turned up for the event.
The remarks come in the wake of heightened political tensions in the Mt Kenya region, where rival factions continue to clash over influence and control. The Kikuyu incident has since drawn mixed reactions, with leaders trading accusations over who was responsible for the disruption.
While Thang’wa called on residents to make independent political decisions, he urged them to do so peacefully and within the law. He emphasised that wananchi have the right to choose leaders freely without interference or intimidation.
The unfolding situation highlights growing divisions within the political landscape, with concerns emerging over the use of security agencies in political contests.
As the debate continues, attention now shifts to how authorities will handle the claims and whether investigations will be launched to establish the truth behind the allegations.
