Journalists injured while covering Gachagua's homecoming, equipment and vehicles destroyed by goons

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's motorcade exits the JKIA upon the DCP leaders' arrival from the US. (Photo: X/Rigathi Gachagua)

By Mary Wambui
Thursday, August 21, 2025

The goons pelted stones towards Gachagua's motorcade as it made its way out of JKIA, allegedly in a bid to block its entry to the CBD.

Journalists from the Standard Group, TV 47, and Royal Media Services were attacked by goons while covering the return of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to the country from his US tour.

During the attack along Mombasa road, the journalists were pelted with stones, their equipment and vehicles destroyed, after which those affected were rushed to the hospital.

More To Read

Cape Media Head of TV Macharia Wamugo, in a statement, strongly condemned what he termed a blatant attack on press freedom and called on authorities to swiftly investigate the incident in which his crew was attacked and ensure the safety of all journalists legally covering events.

"This afternoon, a group of unidentified assailants attacked and injured the TV47 crew at City Cabanas area along Mombasa Road while covering the homecoming of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. The attackers also stole essential equipment, including a camera and mobile phones. Cape Media Ltd is in touch with the affected team, who have already reported the incident to the relevant authorities. We are providing them with the necessary medical, emotional, and logistical support as they recover from this traumatic experience," he said.

Also attacked by goons were DCP party supporters on their way back from the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), where they had gathered to welcome him and shield him from an expected arrest following claims he made against President William Ruto during his 43-day tour of the US.

The goons were pelting stones towards the motorcade as it made its way out of JKIA, allegedly in a bid to block its entry to the CBD, and had been earlier seen robbing and harassing passersby along the busy highway.

A section of leaders later claimed the goons were hired and deployed by some officials from the county government of Nairobi, terming the actions as a huge embarrassment to the planners.

The emergence of goons in political events has raised concerns over the possible mobilisation of criminal gangs by politicians in the country ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Nyeri, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen said the state is monitoring events of political violence in the country.

"We are going to discuss with our chiefs and assistant chiefs how we should all prepare ourselves as a society to confront the use of young people to cause violence, burn property, kill people, and attack people. This is an area that we want to have a conversation also with our citizens."

"As we go to the elections, we do not want people to charge young people for purposes of violence. We are very concerned about recent activities during protests, where shops have been burnt, government vehicles and police stations have been targeted. That culture must come to an end. We want people to exercise their political rights peacefully and respect the rights of their colleagues and everybody," he said during his tour of Nyeri County during the ongoing Jukwaa la usalama forum.

In his Central tour interview this evening, Murkomen added that the state plans to go after the leaders of the criminal gangs to curb their violent activities.

He particularly noted that projections show that Nairobi and Mavoko have this challenge, adding that in some other places where the gangs thrive, police officers are complicit, but they will be held accountable.