Super Metro buses spotted in Kirinyaga on August 23, 2026, were carrying secondary school students on a church-organized hike, not political goons as accused by Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina, according to multiple sources including the AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi and the transport company itself.
The controversy erupted after Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina accused Super Metro of transporting “goons” to disrupt former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s political meetings in the county. In a social media post, she warned the company could face legal consequences if violence occurred during the events, writing: Super Metro!!! I see you have transported Kasongo’s goons to Kirinyaga to wreak havoc at Riggy G’s meetings. As we legally come for the local organisers and facilitators. We shall also hold you legally culpable for aiding and abetting any violence that happens at any of the meetings today,
according to The Star.
Accusations and Legal Threats
Maina’s claims gained traction after viral videos showed groups of young people aboard Super Metro buses in Kirinyaga ahead of Gachagua’s rally. The Kirinyaga Woman Representative alleged the passengers were brought in to cause havoc,
a narrative echoed by other political allies. However, Super Metro and the AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi refuted these allegations, stating the buses were part of a church-organized nature hike.
The church’s clarification, repeated across multiple outlets, emphasized that the group consisted of secondary school boys and girls traveling to Kathandeni Forest in Gichugu Constituency for a “day of fellowship, adventure, and interaction with nature.” A statement from AIC Ziwani said: The youths had no connection to political activities amid earlier claims that the buses were carrying people brought in to cause havoc at Rigathi Gachagua’s meetings,
as reported by Kenyans.co.ke and Tuko News.
Super Metro reinforced this narrative, sharing the church’s statement and asserting that the buses were “carrying secondary school boys and girls who were heading for a hike at Kathandeni Forest in Gichugu Constituency.” The company’s response, published on August 24, 2026, directly addressed Maina’s accusations, stating: The AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi has clarified that the buses spotted in Kirinyaga were carrying secondary school boys and girls who were heading for a hike at Kathandeni Forest in Gichugu Constituency. The youths had no connection to political activities amid earlier claims that the buses were carrying people brought in to cause havoc at Rigathi Gachagua’s meetings,
according to The Star and People Daily.
Broader Political Context
The incident unfolded amid heightened tensions around political rallies in Kenya. Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) has faced repeated allegations of violence at its events, with critics accusing the government of deploying “goons” to destabilize opposition gatherings. On August 16, a rally in Homa Bay turned violent, leaving at least four dead and several injured, according to Kenyans.co.ke.
In response to such incidents, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen announced a new intelligence-led framework to preempt violence at political events. However, the effectiveness of this measure remains untested, as seen in the Kirinyaga rally, where accusations of collusion between transport companies and political actors persisted.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s campaign in Kirinyaga included stops at Kiangagana Shopping Center and Rurui Shopping Center, where he urged support for the DCP and criticized parties he claimed aimed to divide the Mt Kenya vote.
Church’s Role and Public Response
The AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi took a proactive stance, publicly thanking Super Metro for its “safe, reliable, and comfortable transport” for the youth group. A special appreciation goes to Super Metro for partnering with us and providing safe, reliable, and comfortable transport for our young people,
the church stated, as cited by The Star and Tuko News.
This endorsement contrasted sharply with Maina’s accusations, highlighting the tension between political narratives and community-driven activities. The church’s clarification also sought to distance the youth from any political agenda, emphasizing their participation in a recreational outing rather than a mobilization effort.
Despite the church’s statements, Maina’s allegations sparked a broader debate about the role of private transport companies in political mobilization. Critics questioned whether Super Metro’s involvement in such events could be exploited for partisan purposes, while the company maintained its position as a neutral service provider.
The incident underscores the challenges of navigating political discourse in Kenya, where accusations of violence and external interference often overshadow grassroots initiatives. As Gachagua continues his campaign ahead of the 2027 General Election, the clarity provided by the AIC Church Ziwani Nairobi and Super Metro offers a rare moment of factual alignment in an otherwise contentious landscape.
