Gunshots fired as chaos erupt at Gachagua’s party launch in Nairobi

A commotion broke out during the launch of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s new party in Lavington, Nairobi County, after a group of suspected goons tried to disrupt the event.

The chaos erupted on Thursday morning shortly after Gachagua and top officials of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) had left the venue.

Police officers, who were on standby, responded swiftly by firing shots into the air to scatter the crowd that had assembled to watch the former DP’s departure.

Footage captured by bystanders showed a man believed to be a police officer discharging his firearm into the air as a crowd surged toward the gate.

"Move that car!" shouted an armed man, thought to be one of Rigathi Gachagua's bodyguards, as the crowd pushed through the jammed exit.

The former Deputy President’s motorcade was briefly brought to a halt as officers worked to control the situation. After roughly five minutes of heightened tension, calm was eventually restored.

Earlier that Thursday, May 15, Gachagua officially unveiled the much-anticipated Democracy for the Citizens Party at its Nairobi headquarters, flanked by several of his political associates.

In a move that raised eyebrows, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was the first to address the gathering as he officially unveiled the new party. He emphasized that the party’s mission is rooted in attentiveness to the citizens’ concerns.

"At last, we have a party that genuinely listens to the people. Our slogan is simple: Please, listen to Kenyans," he declared, calling on leaders to remain responsive to the needs and struggles of ordinary citizens.