Nyeri: Tension As Police Increase Patrols Ahead Of Maina Njenga's Thanksgiving Meeting

• Police officers in Nyeri conducted unexpected checks ahead of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga's thanksgiving rally
• Officers were deployed to Kabiruini Showground, the rally venue, to deter attendees, raising concerns of a potential clash
• Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned against involvement with illegal groups during a Christmas party, criticising the former Mungiki leader

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

Nyeri - Tension has gripped parts of Nyeri ahead of former Mungiki leader Maina Njenga's thanksgiving rally at the Kabiruini Showground.

On Saturday, December 30, motorists were subjected to unexpected checks by police officers deployed at several parts of the county to prevent Njenga's rally from being held.

The officers were also deployed to the historic grounds where the event is expected to take place to keep away supporters and leaders planning to attend the rally.

Njenga's whereabouts are still unknown at the moment, but his close allies have maintained that the rally is still on amid fears of a confrontation between police officers and his supporters.

The former Mungiki leader has previously maintained that the rally is aimed at fostering the community's unity after the 2022 polls.

He claimed that he had extended an invitation to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former president Uhuru Kenyatta.

Njenga claimed the event would also witness Uhuru passing the torch given before the 2013 polls to the next Mt Kenya mouthpiece.

Why government is against Njenga's rally

The DP has maintained that the government would not allow the resurgence of the outlawed sect that previously reigned terror on innocent Kenyans.

During a Christmas party at his home on Wednesday, December 27, Gachagua claimed the former Mungiki leader was being paraded on TV to be given a national leader's outlook.

He warned Mt Kenya youths against getting involved with illegal groups that would eventually hurt their mothers and interfere with businesses.

"That leader of theirs was being anointed with oil, taken to TV so that we could accept him as a leader. I want to ask our young people here, don't get involved in those illegal groups that violate the law, which come to cause harm to our mothers and our business people," he said.

Uhuru's cousin Kung'u Muigai says Gachagua is new kingpin

Separately, Kung'u Muigai, a cousin of the former president, declared Gachagua as the kingpin of the Mt. Kenya region.

Kung'u emphasised that Gachagua was now Mt. Kenya's supreme leader, urging residents to rally behind him.

He acknowledged that Uhuru is retired and referred to him as an elder of the village, indicating a shift in leadership.