Kenya: Families Demand Release of Gachagua Party Officials Detained in Ruiru

Tensions are mounting in Ruiru following the arrest and detention of two senior officials from the Rigathi Gachagua-led Democratic Conservative Party (DCP), raising fears of political repression within the fractious ruling coalition.

Wanjiku Thiga and Peter Karanja, both prominent figures in the DCP, were arrested on Tuesday and remain held at Ruiru Police Station.

The circumstances of their arrest remain unclear, and no formal charges have been brought against them, according to family members and party allies.

"We are shocked and deeply concerned. These arrests are political. We want them released immediately and unconditionally," said a relative of one of the detained officials.

The detentions have drawn sharp criticism from within the party, with supporters accusing the authorities of using the police to settle political scores as internal wrangles threaten to fracture the DCP's position in the broader Kenya Kwanza alliance.

"This is intimidation. We are watching democracy being stifled," one party member said.

Security agencies have yet to issue an official explanation for the arrests. Calls for transparency and due process are growing louder, with civil society groups also beginning to express interest in the unfolding developments.

The incident comes amid deepening internal disputes within the DCP, where Gachagua has recently been involved in a power struggle with rival factions aligned to other senior figures in government.

As questions swirl and tensions rise, families of the detained officials say they will continue to push for their release and are prepared to take legal action if necessary.

"We will not relent. They have committed no crime, and we demand justice," said a family spokesperson.

The arrests have added to an already volatile political atmosphere, with observers warning that such actions could further polarize the ruling coalition and erode public trust in law enforcement and democratic institutions.

Additional reporting by agencies

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