NAIROBI, KENYA — On Sunday evening, May 18th, law enforcement officers reportedly surrounded the Karen and Wamunyoro residences of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, escalating political tensions.
Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru, via a statement on X, alleged that Gachagua’s homes were effectively “taken hostage” by police, who were actively seeking the former Deputy President. Njiru stated that the authorities had not provided any explanation for their actions.
“To all media houses, kindly be informed that the DCI has taken over both Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Karen and Wamunyoro. They are currently man-hunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reason,” Njiru asserted.
Cleophas Malala, Deputy Party Leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), corroborated these claims, alleging that personnel from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), General Service Unit (GSU), and the National Intelligence Service (NIS) were involved.
“This evening, officers drawn from the DCI, GSU, NIS, and other special forces have raided and illegally occupied my Party Leader, Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Wamunyoro, and even Karen, attempting to arrest him for only God knows what,” Malala stated.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the alleged planned arrest, offering to produce Gachagua before the DCI.
“This intimidation of the Opposition must stop. Mr. Ruto, if you want to arrest Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, do it the right way; follow the law. We are prepared to produce DP Gachagua before the DCI Kenya. Please stop abducting Kenyans and their leaders. Abductions are primitive and cowardly,” Musyoka remarked.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu, a Gachagua ally, also narrowly avoided arrest on Sunday, reportedly escaping in a pickup truck carrying avocados.
“Thank you all for your concern. I am safe. If you were the one who gave a ride to the old man who was wearing a black jacket and a black cap, and you were driving a pickup full of avocados and dropped him off at Delview, may you be blessed. Those Subarus had bad intentions,” Methu stated on social media.
These events follow Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s criticism of Gachagua’s remarks regarding the potential for a repeat of the 2007 post-election violence. Kindiki, in a statement on Saturday, May 17th, emphasized the nation’s commitment to avoiding such a recurrence.
“Kenya will never return to political violence, not in 2027, not at any other time in the future. Our country learnt hard and painful lessons from the 2007/2008 post-election violence. Never again. Henceforth, Kenya’s leadership contests will revolve around who has better ideas to transform the country. The debate cannot be about the fear-mongering of desperate, vengeful, thoughtless, and pretentious leaders,” Kindiki said.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen further escalated tensions, stating that Gachagua’s remarks warranted disqualification from public office.
“Those remarks alone are enough to bar that person from holding any public office. Forget about impeachment, because many people lost their loved ones in the 2007/2008 and some have never recovered, and somebody is promising that violence will escalate in the next elections,” Murkomen stated.
Belgut MP Nelson Koech alleged on Monday that Gachagua and several MPs are facing charges related to the June 2024 protests.
“Gachagua and a few members of Parliament are about to be charged for what happened on 25 June last year. The invasion of parliament and the chaos after, the architect, includes Gachagua,” Koech stated.
