Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has condemned the violence that erupted during the launch of former DP Rigathi Gachagua's new party, even as he called for political tolerance.
He castigated individuals he said use violence to settle political scores, his statement coming just minutes after suspected goons attempted to disrupt Gachagua's event in Lavington, Nairobi.
In a statement on Thursday, May 15, Kindiki said that violence, insults, and divisive politics threaten to sabotage the country's democratic progress.
He emphasised the need for democratic tolerance, which he said will boost the country's growth and safeguard future generations.
"Our country must exercise democratic tolerance and embrace issue-based politics. Insults, violence, and divisive rhetoric as a means of processing political differences of opinion have no place in our society," he stated.
He added: "We owe to the current and future generations a nation built on peace, peaceful coexistence, and respect for one another even when we disagree on issues of policy."
Chaos erupted moments after the former Deputy President launched his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) on Thursday morning.
This happened after the suspected goons tried to interfere with the event, as Gachagua, alongside other DCP officials, were leaving the venue.
Videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke show security officers at the event intervening and shooting in he air, dispersing the crowd, which had attended the event.
After the incident, Gachagua's entourage was forced to temporarily halt as the security officers tried to calm the situation. Fortunately, after a few minutes, the tension at the event subsided.
Gachagua formally launched his long-awaited DCP party alongside his political allies at the party's headquarters.
DCP's party symbols include a neon green and white emblem with an engraving of 'Skiza Wakenya' and a logo depicting fingers holding on to an ear.
The former DP appointed former Kakamega Senator Cleophas Malala as the Deputy Party leader and the former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi as National Organising Secretary.
"We believed as a party that every Kenyan must be heard by their leaders. The listening must not just be for the sake of it," he stated.
