Heavy police deployment at JKIA ahead of Gachagua return

Police have been heavily deployed at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) ahead of the anticipated arrival of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Regular and anti-riot squads from the GSU in lorries were deployed in the early hours of the day as supporters of Gachagua started streaming in to await his arrival from the US.

By 8:30 a.m., no incident had been reported even as police water cannons were parked outside the airport entrance.

A few leaders allied to the ex-DP, led by former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi, had arrived at JKIA.

Traffic in and out of the airport was flowing freely, though with intensified police presence and checks.

On Tuesday, Interior and National Administration Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen said police were well prepared to tackle any chaos that might arise from today’s events.

“Let me say that the security sector is prepared to deal with any insecurity issues. The last time he was around there were many goons in the name of protests. We were very prepared, and every other minute, the National Police Service is prepared to protect citizens and their property,” Murkomen said.

He alleged a plot to cause chaos after Gachagua’s DCP team called on their supporters to throng JKIA to welcome him this morning.

“We are aware of those elements threatening disruptions, threatening football, and threatening all these other issues. I need to say that we will take legal action against anyone breaking the law. I wish Kenya remained peaceful as it has been for the last three to four weeks, and people conduct their political activities as we have seen in the last five weeks. But because we sometimes have no control over people’s behaviour and character, we must protect citizens,” the CS added.

On Monday, DCP Deputy Leader Cleophas Malala said the party planned to lead what he described as the “mother of all peaceful processions” from JKIA to the Central Business District (CBD), culminating in a public rally at the symbolic Kamkunji Grounds.

“We shall have a mother of all peaceful processions from JKIA to CBD and later address a rally at Kamkunji Grounds,” Malala announced, adding that police had been notified in advance to provide security for the planned events.