Rigathi Gachagua, running mate to Deputy President William Ruto, needed rescue on Wednesday when two competing groups engaged in a stone-throwing contest at a campaign rally in Meru.
Gathering at Mutuati market in Igembe North was interrupted after competing groups from the Azimio La Umoja Coalition Party and Kenya Kwanza Alliance clashed.
The groups attacked the leaders with stones, forcing Mr. Gachagua and Meru Senator Mithika Linturi to hide as they spoke to the throng. Mr. Gachagua was swiftly ushered into his car, which he then drove off in.
Later, he flew to Muringene Market in Igembe Central, where he had another rally scheduled.
Mr. Julius Taitumu, who is running against MP Maoka Maore of the Jubilee Party on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket were also present. One group was in favor of Mr. Taitumu while the other was in favor of Mr. Maore.
When Mr. Taitumu began addressing the rally after Mr. Gachagua and Mr. Murungi had finished speaking, trouble ensued. Some began throwing stones as the groups yelled slogans in support of their politicians.
However, police intervened and brought order, allowing the meeting to continue. Mr. Linturi attributed the violence to Mr. Maore, claiming the MP had pledged the meeting wouldn’t take place in his backyard.
“DP Ruto has assured farmers that, when he takes over, his government will appoint an ambassador to Somalia from miraa growing areas so to negotiate on behalf of farmers,” Mr Gachagua said.
The leaders appealed to the people to support Kenya Kwanza, claiming that the group would free Kenyans from the high expense of life. Mr. Gachagua, who refrained from commenting on the disorder in Mutuati, promised that DP Ruto’s administration will raise police wages and enhance their welfare.
If the welfare of Kenyans is better, he claimed, the police will stop accepting bribes and harassing innocent citizens.
Mr. Gachagua added that the Kenya Kwanza administration would hire 100,000 new teachers and end the controversial delocalization scheme, which he claimed was responsible for dissolving families.
