My life in danger, Gachagua says in new bombshell

The standoff between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and his detractors in the Kenya Kwanza administration has taken a fresh twist after he claimed that his life is in danger.

In a statement to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, the former DP called for immediate action and attention regarding his security, that of his family, supporters and property citing recent incidents where goons have attacked his public functions.

Gachagua noted that though he was impeached on what he terms as flimsy and trumped-up charges by the sponsors well known to the IG, the matter is still alive in court.

He protests the withdrawal of his security in what he alleges is a clear thought-out scheme and backward conspiracy to make him venerable to “organised criminal gangs in cohort with the police and other security agencies…”

In his statement to the IG, Gachagua cites an incident on November 28 last year at a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu county, when he says he was attacked by organised criminal gangs, his vehicles damaged irreparably, women and children roughed, property of unknown value destroyed and mourners beaten up as police watched, claiming it was an assassination attempt that failed.

“The attackers, whose photos and information were shared online for more than one month on, no action has been taken on either. Instead, politicians and leaders aligned to me including senator Karungo Wa Thang’wa, Former Limuru MP Hon. Peter Mwathi have been treated to harassment by security agencies over what is within your knowledge of whom the planners and executors were,” he said.

“On 28th December, 2024 in Shamata, Nyandarua County, an inspector of police flanked by organized criminal gangs threw teargas canister at me to scatter my supporters and create a fertile avenue to attack me with an assassination intent. The inspector of police, well known to you, has not been disciplined for destabilising peace and an attempted assassination,” Gachagua added.

He also cites another incident on January 18 this year at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri Town during at a prayer rally organized by the popularly known Rev Maina Wa OTC, where his spouse Pastor Dorcas Rigathi was preaching, when an attack gang well known to you, descended on the congregation and took over the prayer meeting.

“My spouse had to be whisked away by her private security. The police in civilian attire joined forces with the criminals and hitherto, no action has been taken. You are well aware that I was to attend these prayers and after an intelligence tip-off, I skipped as a responsible citizen to avoid what would have been a retaliation by my supporters which you know would have led to conflict, bad for our nation,” he told the IG.

Gachagua also cited another incident on March 203 at the ACK St. Peters’ Cathedral in Nyeri, when he claims criminal gangs, well organised by the police and known individuals attacked the Christian faithful where he was attending a Sunday service.

“The police deliberately and idly watched mayhem as Christians were harassed and vehicles stoned in the church compound and outside. Again, you have kept a deaf ear and golden evil silence on the matter within your jurisdiction.”

In another incident, Gachagua says that on March 29 in Naivasha town, a contingent of police officers under the command of one Mr Keter, OCPD Naivasha, heavily armed, beat and roughed up innocent and armless residents of the town who had organically gathered to greet him.

“The same police officers, trailed my motorcade, harassed my staff up to Mai Mahiu shopping centre where they clobbered residents and threw teargas canisters to innocent citizens who were trying to speak to me and greet me. Again, Mr. Douglas Kanja, IG, your silence is the loudest ever,” the statement reads.

Gachagua also highlights the April 6 fracs  at a church service at PCEA Kasarani East Parish, at Mwiki in Nairobi County, when what he terms as “a battalion of furious gangsters wielding machetes and crude weapons” stormed the church where I was worshipping and caused chaos on unthinkable magnitude; women, children and worshippers were treated to a cacophony of violence and not a single police officer responded despite the police station being a few meters from the church.”

“It is within your knowledge that the Deputy Inspector General of Police had instructed the police not to provide security. You are aware that there have been deliberate plans to attack my homes in Nairobi, Nyeri and my properties across the country by individuals well know to you or where you are a culpable accomplice. How would you take action anyway?”

Gachagua also alleges that security agencies have been trailing him with marked and unmarked vehicles.

“Notably on 19th of December, 2024 a NIS officer with a fake car number plate KCR 919U trailed me for over 150 km in Makueni for reasons best known to yourselves. Take notice that, constantly, these NIS operatives trail and stalk me and my immediate family members in unmarked cars or and clandestine number plates. This is an affront to right to privacy. Clearly and as such, the NIS officers trailing me is a clear sign they coordinate with criminal gangs on my activities, movements in order to attack me,” he alleges.

“From the above known incidents and others known to you, this is clearly targeted at my life and that of my close family members and my supporters. 7. Be advised that Kenya is a Constitutional Democracy; the rule of law cannot be applied selectively. Be informed that the people of Kenya are well aware of all these incidents and might anything happen to me or my family, this country will fall into unspeakable violence you can only imagine leading to political instability and breakdown of law and order,” Gachagua further added.

“Be reminded that in the run-up to the 2007 General Elections in Kenya, similar patterns of incidents either soft or hard, exposed Kenya into international shame and your one-time holder of the office you do, found his way to the International Criminal Court – ICC for crimes against humanity. 9. Be informed that under the Constitution of Kenya, under Chapter 4, the Bill of Rights, fundamental freedoms and rights are guaranteed to every Kenyan and not under the mercy of the State and its bureaucrats.”

He demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of violence, provision of security in all public gatherings that he attends, provision of personal security with immediate effect and for the police to cease and desist from interfering with peaceful gatherings of citizens.

He further wants National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers and other security agencies immediately stopped from stalking and trailing his and his family members and the protection of my homes and property.

“Take firm notice that might further violence and assassination attempts be meted on me whatsoever; you will be personally responsible to the people of the Republic of Kenya and to the entire world,” Gachagua warned.