Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji has come under fire from a section of Embu county residents for declaring a ban on UDA meetings until those responsible for the deaths of two young men at Nembure Stadium two weeks ago during the party’s delegates meeting are brought to book.

The MP allegedly made the remarks on Sunday at a Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) public rally at Mutunduri within his constituency, where he demanded the arrest of police officers he accused of shooting the two to death.

A postmortem examination conducted on the two young men, Moses Munene, 30, and Mike Lewis, 23, on Wednesday last week established that they died from gunshot wounds.

Mukunji said UDA will not be allowed to hold any public engagement across the county until justice is served to the two, a statement that has not gone down well with some residents.

The UDA and “Two-Term Movement” said the remarks bordered on incitement that risks plunging the county into chaos, adding that every party has the freedom to hold meetings anywhere.

“What Mukunji is doing is pitting UDA supporters against opposition supporters,” said David Kabaka, warning that such a move could lead to skirmishes.

He said no political faction has the right to block others from holding their rallies or sell their manifestos, noting that Kenya’s constitution guarantees freedom of association.

“We distance ourselves from such reckless statements and also state that we shall not be cowed or intimidated by anybody from holding our “Two-Term” campaigns,” he stated.

Another resident, Wario Kamunya, condemned the alleged political zoning remarks, saying any registered party should be free to engage voters without violence.

The group also rallied behind Governor Cecily Mbarire’s second-term bid in 2027. Mbarire will be facing, among others, Mukunji, who has declared his candidacy for the seat.

by Samuel Waititu