The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has arrested two suspects following the violent disruption of a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) delegates’ meeting at Nembure Grounds in Embu County on Saturday, September 12, 2026. The arrests came as investigators intensified efforts to identify and apprehend other people suspected of participating in the violence that left one person dead, several police officers and other people injured, and six vehicles torched. The meeting was being presided over by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and brought together senior national and county leaders. 

The incident has attracted significant attention because it occurred during a political meeting involving senior government officials and comes at a time when political activities are becoming increasingly intense ahead of Kenya's 2027 General Election. Police have described the violence as criminal conduct and warned that political differences cannot be used as justification for attacking people, destroying property or disrupting public meetings. The DCI has said investigations remain active and that additional suspects are being pursued. 

 *How the Nembure chaos began* 

The violence erupted at Nembure Grounds during a UDA meeting involving party polling-centre officials and other invited participants. According to the National Police Service, a group of people attempted to gain access to the meeting, despite the gathering being restricted to invited delegates and designated participants.

Police said the attempt to breach the meeting resulted in a confrontation between the group and security officers. What began as a dispute over access quickly escalated into violence, with youths engaging police officers in running battles.

Security officers responded by using tear gas to disperse the crowds and prevent the situation from spreading into the main meeting venue. The confrontation, however, became increasingly serious, with several vehicles reportedly being vandalised and six vehicles eventually set on fire. 

The violence also forced security officers to evacuate Deputy President Kithure Kindiki from the venue. According to police, Kindiki was safely taken away as officers worked to restore order. The NPS subsequently confirmed that one person had died, several people were injured and six vehicles had been torched. 

 *Two suspects arrested* 

On Sunday, September 13, the DCI confirmed that two suspects had been arrested in connection with the Nembure violence.

The arrests marked an important step in the investigation because police had initially indicated that several people had been arrested at the scene. The DCI subsequently confirmed that detectives in Embu had taken two suspects into custody while continuing to investigate the wider circumstances surrounding the violence.

Authorities have not publicly released the names of the two suspects or provided detailed information about the specific offences they are suspected of committing. This is important because an arrest does not mean that a person has been found guilty. The suspects will have to go through the legal process, and any charges brought against them will have to be proved before a court. 

The DCI has also indicated that the investigation is not limited to the two people already arrested. Detectives are pursuing additional individuals who may have participated in the violence, including people suspected of attacking others, damaging property, torching vehicles, barricading roads or assaulting police officers. 

Police looking for more suspects

The arrest of the two suspects is therefore only an early stage of the investigation. Police have made it clear that more arrests could follow as detectives examine evidence gathered from the scene.

The DCI has said it is pursuing other people believed to have been involved in criminal activities during the chaos. Investigators are expected to examine eyewitness accounts, photographs and videos from the incident, reports from police officers deployed to Nembure, and evidence relating to the damaged and burnt vehicles.

The National Police Service had earlier stated that several suspects were arrested at the scene. The service also said investigations would be conducted to establish the full circumstances surrounding the incident and identify everyone who participated in the violence. 

This means that the number of people eventually facing charges could be higher than the two suspects already confirmed by the DCI.

One person killed

The violence had a tragic consequence, with police confirming that one person died.

Initial reports surrounding the incident contained differing accounts of the number of casualties. However, the National Police Service subsequently confirmed that one person had been fatally injured. Several other people, including police officers, were also injured.

The death has increased pressure on security agencies to establish exactly what happened during the confrontation, including the circumstances that led to the fatal injury.

Reports have since identified the deceased as Moses Munene, a mechanic from Mutunduri in Manyatta Constituency, although investigations into the circumstances of his death remain a major part of the wider controversy surrounding the incident. 

The death has also generated political debate, with different sides offering different accounts of what happened and who should be held responsible.

Six vehicles torched

One of the most visible signs of the violence was the destruction of vehicles.

The NPS confirmed that six vehicles were torched, while other vehicles were vandalised during the confrontation. The burning of vehicles transformed what was initially a political disagreement into a serious criminal incident involving destruction of property.

The damage is likely to form an important part of the police investigation. Investigators will need to establish who participated in setting the vehicles on fire and whether those involved acted individually or as part of an organised group.

Under Kenyan law, the deliberate destruction of property can lead to criminal proceedings. Police have therefore warned that anyone identified as having participated in the destruction will be pursued.

DCI warning to those behind the violence

The DCI has issued a strong warning to people who may have participated in the Nembure chaos.

The agency said political differences should not be treated as a licence for lawlessness. It emphasised that no political affiliation, disagreement or grievance places an individual above the law.

The DCI specifically warned that people involved in attacks, arson, destruction of property, road blockades and assaults on police officers would be pursued and brought to justice. 

The warning is significant because the incident occurred at a political gathering and has already triggered accusations between rival political camps.

Police appear determined to separate political disagreements from criminal conduct. Their position is that Kenyans have the right to hold political meetings, but participants must respect the law and must not use violence to advance political objectives.

Political accusations after the chaos

The Nembure incident has also generated accusations among politicians.

UDA leaders condemned the violence and called for those responsible to be dealt with through the law. Deputy President Kindiki also condemned the disruption and argued that political competition should focus on policies and development rather than violence. 

At the same time, political opponents have raised questions about what caused the confrontation and whether political actors had a role in mobilising youths.

Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and other UDA figures have made allegations concerning political actors they believe may have been linked to the disruption. Other political figures have rejected or challenged such accusations.

These claims remain political allegations and should not be treated as established facts unless supported by police investigations or proven in court.

Focus on Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji

The aftermath of the Nembure violence has also brought Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji into the political spotlight.

Reports indicated heightened police activity around his rural home in Mutunduri following the violence. There were claims that police were seeking to arrest him, although regional police authorities disputed reports that officers were at his home specifically to arrest him, saying officers were on patrol. 

The development has further increased political tension in Embu.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has also raised concerns about the situation involving Mukunji, while political leaders have exchanged accusations over the events in Nembure.

However, it is important to distinguish between persons arrested over the chaos and political figures mentioned in the political debate. The DCI's confirmed arrests currently concern two suspects. Being mentioned politically or being the subject of allegations does not automatically mean that someone has been arrested or charged.

 *Why the arrests are important* 

The arrests are important because they demonstrate that security agencies are moving from the initial containment of the violence to the investigative phase.

Immediately after the chaos, the priority for police was to restore order, protect the Deputy President and other officials, prevent further injuries and stop the destruction of property.

Once order was restored, investigators could begin examining who was responsible for the violence.

The DCI's confirmation that two suspects have been arrested indicates that investigators believe they have identified at least some people who may have participated in the criminal activities. More suspects could be arrested depending on evidence gathered during the investigation.

The authorities are also under pressure to ensure that investigations are conducted fairly and professionally. Because the incident occurred during a political gathering, the credibility of the investigation will be particularly important.

Calls for peaceful politics

The Nembure chaos has renewed concerns about political violence in Kenya.

Deputy President Kindiki said political parties should be allowed to conduct meetings peacefully and that security should be provided to political formations. At the same time, he warned against using young people to disrupt political activities. 

The incident therefore provides another reminder of the importance of peaceful political participation.

Political disagreements are expected in a democracy, particularly as the country approaches another election cycle. However, disagreements should be handled through debate, public participation, political competition and the legal system rather than violence.

The government and security agencies will also be expected to ensure that political meetings are adequately secured without unnecessarily restricting citizens' constitutional rights.

 *What happens next?* 

The two suspects are likely to remain at the centre of the ongoing investigation as detectives work to establish their alleged roles in the violence.

Investigators may also seek additional suspects based on evidence gathered from the scene. Police could examine video recordings from the event, photographs circulating on social media, eyewitness accounts and information from security officers.

The DCI has not said that the investigation is complete. Instead, the agency has made it clear that more people may be pursued.

Authorities will also have to establish the circumstances surrounding the death, the burning of vehicles and injuries suffered by police officers and civilians.

If sufficient evidence is gathered, suspects may be presented before a court and formally charged. At that point, the prosecution will have to prove the allegations against each individual.