Embu, Sept. 12 — Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was hurriedly evacuated from a UDA mobilisation meeting in Embu on Friday after the gathering descended into chaos, with several vehicles torched and reports of injuries and looting marring what was meant to be a show of party strength.
The disturbance broke out at Nembure Stadium in Manyatta Constituency, where Kindiki was rallying more than 10,000 party polling centre officials, when residents locked out of the venue demanded entry and attempted to force their way in. Youths outside the secured venue began throwing stones at attendees, and police responded by firing tear gas, with reports also indicating live ammunition was discharged, to clear a path for the Deputy President’s evacuation.
At least three vehicles belonging to journalists, including those of Royal Media Services correspondent Edwin Murimi, Wimwaro FM’s Murimi wa Mugendi and Getu FM’s Kimathi Nto’Miru, were confirmed burnt. Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire put the toll far higher, saying nearly 10 vehicles belonging to delegates were torched, and that a journalist from Runyenjes had lost his vehicle entirely. She said delegates also reported theft of cash and party merchandise as they fled the scene, and confirmed one youth was seriously injured by a stone and hospitalised. Several people were feared dead, though no confirmed fatalities had been established at the time of reporting.
Mbarire linked the violence to a deepening pattern of political hostility in the county, saying, “We have allowed politics of violence in Embu County. It started in 2024,” and urged rival camps to compete on policy rather than intimidation.
Kindiki initially responded to the incident with a brief “Sawa” posted on social media, before issuing a fuller statement defending the meeting as a legitimate gathering of officials assembled to discuss government progress and counter misinformation.