Gachagua: My life is in danger

By Newsflash Reporter

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sensationally claimed that his life is in danger, accusing state security agencies and political actors of orchestrating a coordinated campaign of violence and assassination attempts against him and his close associates.

In a strongly-worded letter dated April 15, 2025, addressed to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja Kirocho, and copied to the current Deputy President, Gachagua outlines a series of alarming incidents he describes as deliberate efforts to eliminate him.

He accuses the police and other state actors of withdrawing his security, enabling criminal gangs to attack him, and targeting his supporters and family with impunity.

“You have a constitutional responsibility and duty to protect life and property of every Kenyan… however, in this case, Mr. Kanja, you are clearly perpetuating crime and violence,” Gachagua wrote.

Read more:Wamaua dumps Gachagua for Ruto

He invoked Article 245(2)(b) of the Constitution, which provides for the independent command of the National Police Service, and accused the current administration of using state machinery to entrench anarchy and oligarchy.

Timeline of alleged assassination attempts

Gachagua, who served as Mathira MP from 2017 to 2022 before becoming Deputy President, enumerated eight separate incidents where he claims his life was threatened, detailing what he called state-enabled or state-sanctioned attacks:

November 28, 2024 – Limuru, Kiambu County: During a funeral, Gachagua says he was ambushed by criminal gangs who damaged his vehicles, attacked mourners and harassed his family. He calls this a failed assassination attempt.
December 28, 2024 – Shamata, Nyandarua County: A police inspector, allegedly working with criminal gangs, is said to have thrown tear gas at Gachagua’s supporters in an attempt to destabilize and attack him.
January 18, 2025 – Kamukunji Grounds, Nyeri Town: While his wife Pastor Dorcas Rigathi was attending a prayer rally, Gachagua says known attackers stormed the event. He claims the police, instead of providing protection, cooperated with the attackers.
March 23, 2025 – ACK St. Peters Cathedral, Nyeri: Armed gangs allegedly stormed a church service he was attending, harassing Christians and damaging property while the police watched in silence.
March 29, 2025 – Naivasha Town: Gachagua accuses OCPD Naivasha, a Mr. Keter, of leading heavily armed officers who beat and harassed residents who had gathered to welcome him, even following his convoy to a shopping center and using tear gas.
April 6, 2025 – Kasarani East Parish, Nairobi: A group of armed criminals wielding machetes reportedly stormed a church service he was attending. He claims no police responded despite the nearby station, and blames the Deputy IG for issuing orders not to provide him security.
Ongoing Plans: Gachagua alleges there are well-known plots to attack his homes in Nairobi and Nyeri, saying state agencies are aware but have failed to act.
December 19, 2024 – Nairobi: He also claims National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers have been trailing him in marked and unmarked vehicles.

Gachagua refers to his 2024 impeachment as “sham” and “trumped-up,” and suggests that those behind it are also responsible for the attempts on his life.

While the police have not publicly responded to the accusations, Gachagua insists the attacks are well documented and the perpetrators well known. He challenges the Inspector General to explain the continued silence and inaction.

“This is a clear thought-out scheme and backward conspiracy to make me vulnerable to organized criminal gangs in cohort with the police,” Gachagua said.