A heavy security presence surrounded the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) headquarters in Nairobi on Thursday, as Kiambu Senator Karung’o Thang’wa arrived for questioning in relation to the violent chaos that occurred during a funeral in Limuru, Kiambu County, on November 28. The funeral, which was being held for Erastus Nduati, turned chaotic when a group of individuals stormed the event, causing widespread disruption and injury to several mourners.
In anticipation of possible unrest, anti-riot police were stationed outside the DCI offices, and water cannons were deployed as a precaution. This heightened security was a response to the tension that had developed following Thang’wa’s earlier appearance before detectives in Nyeri on Wednesday. There, a crowd had gathered in support of the senator, chanting anti-government slogans, prompting the authorities to increase security measures in Nairobi for his Thursday summons.
Thang’wa, alongside several leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is being investigated for their involvement in the funeral incident. These leaders have publicly denounced the government’s actions, calling the summons an attempt at intimidation. The investigation into the incident is ongoing, with authorities focusing on the claims of property damage and injury to mourners caused by the violence that unfolded during the event.
Former Limuru Member of Parliament Peter Mwathi has also been summoned by the DCI, though police spokesperson Dr. Resila Onyango clarified that Mwathi has not been arrested or named as a person of interest in the case. The violence erupted while Mwathi was addressing mourners at the Bibirioni Boys High School grounds in Limuru, when unknown individuals began hurling objects and chairs, forcing people to flee the area for safety. Property was damaged during the fracas, but police confirmed that only one complainant had filed a report regarding the destruction.
The chaotic scene was described by Gachagua as a deliberate and targeted attack on his life, asserting that the state had intentionally withdrawn his security detail, leaving him exposed to potential harm. Gachagua, who was attending the funeral of Erastus Nduati, a young man from a prominent local family, noted that the attackers specifically targeted him, using crude weapons to indiscriminately assault both men and women, including children.
“The incident in Limuru is being investigated, and appropriate action will be taken against both the perpetrators and instigators,” assured Mohamed Amin, the Director of Criminal Investigations. He emphasized that anyone with pertinent information regarding the attackers or the events leading up to the violence should report it to the police. He also urged individuals to refrain from making public allegations not officially filed at the police station.
Thang’wa and other leaders present at the funeral have argued that the incident appeared to be premeditated, with some even suggesting that it was a calculated effort to harm Gachagua. These leaders, including Nyandarua Senator John Methu, have voiced concerns about the government’s role in fostering an environment of insecurity. Methu stated that the chaotic scenes during the burial were a direct attempt on the life of the former deputy president, and he warned that the security withdrawal could have been orchestrated to facilitate such an attack.
Despite the accusations, the police have remained firm in their commitment to impartiality and the rule of law. While the investigations continue, the heightened tensions and the large police presence at the DCI headquarters underscore the political ramifications of the ongoing probe and its implications for the involved leaders. With the investigation still unfolding, many are watching closely to see how the government will respond to the allegations and whether the perpetrators behind the violence will be brought to justice.
The Limuru funeral incident has, without a doubt, stirred a political storm, highlighting the deepening divisions within the country’s political landscape. The questions surrounding the motives behind the violence, the withdrawal of Gachagua’s security, and the summons of the implicated leaders have ensured that this case remains a focal point of public discourse.
