The political temperature in Mt. Kenya has hit the boiling point, with Eldas MP Adan Keynan calling for immediate mass arrests following the chaotic attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In a stern warning that transcends party lines, Keynan has condemned the violence witnessed at a church service in Othaya as "primitive and unacceptable," demanding that the rule of law be applied without fear or favor.

The incident, which saw Gachagua’s motorcade pelted with stones and tear gas lobbed near the church precincts, has shocked the political establishment. Keynan, a veteran legislator known for his measured approach, did not mince words. "We cannot allow the country to slide back into the dark days of political intolerance," he stated. "Those who organized and executed this attack must face the full force of the law, regardless of who their godfathers are."

The Othaya Skirmish

The chaos unfolded as Gachagua, now a leading voice in the United Opposition, attended a Sunday service. Supporters clashed with hired goons, turning the holy ground into a battlefield. Police intervention, involving tear gas canisters fired indiscriminately, only added to the pandemonium. Keynan criticized the police response, questioning why security officers seemed unable—or unwilling—to protect a former second-in-command.

"Power is transient," Keynan reminded the current administration, quoting a timeless political truism. "Today you are in charge, tomorrow you are a citizen. If we normalize violence against opponents today, we are digging graves for ourselves tomorrow."

• Political Fallout: The attack has galvanized Gachagua’s support base, with allies painting him as a martyr of state persecution. The "victim card" is playing well in the mountain region, complicating President Ruto’s consolidation efforts.
• Security Concerns: The National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) has been urged to investigate hate speech and incitement that preceded the violence.

A Test for the IGP

The ball is now in the court of the Inspector General of Police. Keynan’s demand for arrests puts pressure on the police service to prove its independence. Failure to act against the perpetrators will validate opposition claims that the state security apparatus has been weaponized against dissenters.

As the political drums beat louder ahead of the 2027 cycle, the Othaya incident serves as a grim preview of what might lie ahead if tolerance is not preached and practiced. For Adan Keynan, the message is simple: The stone thrown today will break the window of the thrower tomorrow.