Tensions flared on Tuesday as police issued stern warnings against planned protests at the official residence of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Karen. The warning followed a notification shared by Farmers Party leader Irungu Nyakera, who announced a planned demonstration to reinstall former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
According to a letter posted by Nyakera on his X (formerly Twitter) account, the Farmers Party intended to hold a peaceful procession on May 13, 2025, citing a recent Court of Appeal ruling that annulled Gachagua’s impeachment. The protest was to culminate at the DP’s residence, a highly protected government facility.
In response, anti-riot police were swiftly deployed along major roads leading to Karen. Officers conducted stop-and-search operations on vehicles and motorcycles to deter any attempts to reach the residence unlawfully.
Nairobi region police commander George Sedah firmly warned against the planned gathering, stating, “They should keep off for now.” He emphasized that the protest would not be allowed to proceed due to security concerns and the sensitive nature of the location.
The letter from the Farmers Party, signed by Executive Director George Wakibi Njogu, stressed that the planned protest was grounded in constitutional rights and respect for the rule of law. “Our intention is to protect the sovereign will of the Kenyan people who elected H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH, as the Deputy President during the 2022 general elections,” the letter read.
The party called on the Inspector General of Police to provide adequate security to ensure the protest remained peaceful and to prevent infiltration by “goons and hooligans.”
Despite these assurances, law enforcement authorities maintained that protests at the Deputy President’s residence posed a serious threat to public safety and order. Sedah reiterated the government’s position, noting that while the right to protest is constitutionally protected, it must be exercised within the confines of the law and with respect to national security installations.
As of Tuesday evening, the situation remained tense, with authorities urging calm and promising swift action against any unlawful assembly.
