Drama ensured outside the Ruiru Courts, Kiambu County after anti-terror police rearrested the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) youth leader Peter Kinyanjui alias Kawanjiru.

Kawanjiru had just secured a bond for his release and was heading home when chaos erupted. In videos seen by Kenyans.co.ke, anti-terror police forcefully grabbed Kawanjiru into a moving van, while others fired gunshots.

The court's vicinity was filled with shouts from supporters and family trying to block the re-arrest; however, the shouts were in vain as the police still managed to take Gachagua away forcefully.

Among those who were shouting and wailing was Beatrice Wanjiru, the politician's mother, who almost lost her breath in her quest for her son's release. Her wails, however, fell on deaf ears, and the police still managed to thwart him into a nearby moving van and drove away.

Peter Kawanjiru, Rigathi Gachagua's ally allegedly abducted at night, June 30, 2025.

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Rigathi Gachagua, Screengrab

The officers fired shots in the air to disperse the crowd, causing panic among the people who scattered in different directions. 

Initially, Kawanjiru was arrested in connection with the torching of Kiambu Law Courts during the Gen-Z-led demonstrations on June 25, 2025. 

According to Kawanjiru's family, the officers forcefully gained entry into the house and fired several rounds to scare away neighbours who attempted to deter their mission. 

“They said they were from DCI Kiambu Road and were looking for someone named Kawanjiru. When we refused to open, they started hitting the door with metal rods,” a family member narrated.

He was among other Gachagua allies who had been arrested over the June 25 chaos. Another leader who had been detained was Wanjiku Thiga, who had been taken into custody at Kamakis in Ruiru.

Lawyers had reported that they had secured Thiga's freedom after paying a Ksh50,000 bail. However, she was again re-arrested.

The drama has caused tension within the Gachagua party, with the youths alleging that they are being forced to leave the party, a move they have adamantly refused.

Meanwhile, a section of DCP youth leaders and members have maintained that despite the constant arrests, the planned Saba Saba protests will move forward as planned.

DCP youth leader Wanjku Thiga

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Wanjiku Thiga