A photo of hooded armed men who allegedly abducted Standard Group’s Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich. Photo/Standard Digital
By Newsflash Writer
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations over the reported abduction of Standard Group Associate Editor Alex Kiprotich, claiming a late-night meeting between President William Ruto and Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was used to plot how to stop the journalist from publishing a damning exposé.
Gachagua claimed the meeting on Monday, September 1, evening paved the way for a surveillance operation targeting Kiprotich, who he said was preparing an investigative report on an alleged multi-million-shilling compensation scam involving evictees from the Mau Forest.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 3, Gachagua accused senior government and security officials of orchestrating a campaign to silence the journalist before the exposé could be published.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, who is in the United States, claimed Kiprotich had been preparing to travel to the Mau Forest to investigate allegations that thousands of evictees from the Kipsigis community had been conned out of millions of shillings in compensation.
Gachagua alleged that the money had been channelled to brokers and proxies linked to officials within the National Government Administration.
“Alex was to publish an exposé giving a blow-by-blow account of how the funds have been stolen, leaving the evictees helpless and in anguish,” he claimed.
‘He had to be stopped’
Gachagua alleged that the decision to stop Kiprotich was made during the Monday night meeting between Ruto and Murkomen.
“A late-night meeting on Monday evening between Mr. William Ruto and Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen sealed the fate of Mr. Alex Kiprotich, where it was decided that he had to be stopped,” he alleged.
He claimed DCI Director Mohamed Amin was subsequently instructed to place Kiprotich under 24-hour surveillance.
According to Gachagua, Amin assembled a team headed by Zachary Kariuki, whom he described as a retired officer recalled to coordinate the operation.
Read more: Kenyan editors demand probe into Alex Kiprotich abduction
He alleged the team was involved in abductions, killings and cover-ups and claimed it was the unit that abducted Kiprotich.
Gachagua further alleged that the alleged plot to eliminate the journalist was abandoned after his abduction was captured live, triggering public outrage.
The former Deputy President provided no evidence in his statement to substantiate the alleged meeting, surveillance operation or the accusations against the individuals he named.
He nevertheless directly challenged the police leadership to explain what happened to Kiprotich and why previous investigations into alleged killings and attacks had not produced results.
Gachagua attacks police leadership
Gachagua also launched a blistering attack on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, dismissing his order for a thorough investigation into Kiprotich’s abduction.
He claimed Kanja was not in control of the National Police Service and alleged that Interior Ministry officials and senior police commanders were effectively running the Service.
Gachagua specifically named Murkomen and Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, alleging they exercised influence over senior police officers, including Deputy Inspector General Eliud Langat and DCI Director Mohamed Amin.
“You are just a flower girl leading a shell, and you will be sacrificed at the right time and blamed for the excesses in the Service,” Gachagua told Kanja.
Read more:Amnesty, KANU Women demand probe into Kiprotich abduction
He further alleged that the same unit responsible for Kiprotich’s abduction had been involved in the disappearance of a businessman in Mlolongo and the killing of Rachel Wandeto.
Gachagua challenged Kanja to first release findings from previous investigations into Wandeto’s death, the attacks on Witima ACK Church, Mwiki PCEA Church and Kariobangi PCEA Church, as well as killings and violence reported in Ol Kalou.
He accused the police of shielding senior officials from accountability and declared that the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) had failed in its mandate.
The allegations come as pressure mounts on security agencies to establish who abducted Kiprotich, why he was targeted and whether his journalism was connected to the incident.
Kiprotich was reportedly abducted by hooded men on Tuesday night and later found safe, sparking widespread condemnation and renewed calls for an independent investigation.
Gachagua’s allegations have not been independently verified, and the officials named in his statement have not, in the statement, responded to the accusations.
About the Author
