Maina Njenga Blames Rigathi Gachagua For His Woes, Accuses Him Of Targeting Youthful UDA Supporters

• Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga accused the government of harassing and arresting innocent Kikuyu youths
• Njenga criticised Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly setting up the youth against police brutality and risking community extinction
• He denied organising an end-of-year rally at Kabiru-Ini, stating it was youths planning to celebrate the New Year

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Kajiado - Former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga has called out the government for what he termed harassing and arresting innocent Kikuyu youths.

During a press briefing on Monday, January 1, Njenga accused Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of turning against youth who voted for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) in the last polls.

He accused the DP of setting up the youth against police brutality and the eventual extinction of the community.

"It bothers me that a Kikuyu leader is using the State machinery to criminalise the same people who supported him during the 2022 general election. By labelling our innocent youths as members of Mungiki, Rigathi is not only setting them up against the notorious police brutality, but he is also setting up the entire community for extinction.

When did the jobless, hopeless and disgruntled hustlers become Mungiki? Kweli asante ya punda ni mateke," he said.

Njenga called on the government to focus on its main agenda of tackling the high cost of living, dismissing claims that he is in hiding.

Who called for the meeting in Nyeri?

The politician denied organising an end-of-year rally at Kabiru-Ini, arguing that it was youths planning to usher in the New Year.

"On the alleged meeting that was alleged to take place in Nyeri Kabiruini, we categorically state that there was no such meeting called and scheduled to take place. As no notice had been issued to the effect either to the public or police. The innocent youth who have been arrested are just going about their usual businesses in preparation for their new year," he claimed.

Njenga pointed out that the arrested youth were victims of unfulfilled and broken promises by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

"They are hustlers entangled by the high cost of living; reduce the cost of living, stop criminalising kikuyu youth," Njenga said.

Police arrest over 250 suspected Mungiki members

On New Year's eve, the police launched a major crackdown against Mungiki in Nyeri, arresting at least 250 suspected members of the outlawed sect.

Police said the suspects, who were drawn from various counties, were found with paraphernalia associated with the outlawed group.

At Mukurwe wa Nyagathanga in Murang’a county, 23 people were found with knives and strange paraphernalia believed to be used for administering illegal oaths.