Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto. Photo/Handout
By Newsflash Correspondent
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing the State of orchestrating violence during the unveiling of his new political party, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), held in Nairobi on Thursday, May 15.
The event descended into chaos toward its close when a group of unidentified individuals stormed the venue.
Security officers attached to Gachagua were forced to fire in the air to disperse the intruders, sparking panic among attendees and journalists. Several reporters were injured in the commotion.
In his Thursday statement, Gachagua accused Ruto of being behind the disruption and cataloguing a series of alleged attacks against him, his family, and his supporters.
“Stop sending goons to attack me, my family, and supporters,” Gachagua said. “We have rights and freedoms to enjoy like other Kenyans.”
Gachagua, who has increasingly positioned himself as a fierce critic of Ruto since being impeached, accused the President of resorting to intimidation and criminal tactics to silence dissent.
“Like a gentleman, just accept that you lost the trust and support of the people and move on,” he said.
Orchestrated acts of violence
Gachagua alleged that the latest attack is just one in a series of orchestrated acts of violence against him since late 2023. He recounted an incident in November during a funeral in Limuru where, he claimed, goons under police escort disrupted the proceedings.
“You sent the leader of an organized criminal gang whom you have engaged in the mountain to support you; they attacked my wife and Christians during a prayer meeting in Nyeri, thus discrediting the altar of God in the process,” he stated.
Gachagua further claimed that in December, tear gas was lobbed at him and ordinary citizens during another prayer gathering in Nyandarua County, and that in January 2025, goons again under police escort evicted his children from an office they had operated from for five years.
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The most stinging accusation was likening a recent April incident at a church to the 2007 Kiambaa church tragedy, a dark chapter in Kenya’s post-election violence.
“In April, in a similar function, like in 2007, when you sent goons to kill children in Kiambaa church, you sent goons under police escort to attack me and Christians inside PCEA church,” Gachagua said, in what may trigger political and public backlash.
“Today, once again, you sent goons to attack me and members of the DCP at the party headquarters,” he added. “Police are complaining that you have stopped them from arresting and prosecuting the culprits in all these incidences.”
He concluded by questioning the President’s moral standing.
“Why don’t you simply accept that you have lost my support and that of my followers and look for support elsewhere? Doesn’t it bother your conscience that you have resorted to using criminal gangs and goons to intimidate and attack those who no longer support you?”
Malala’s sentiments
Earlier in the day, Cleophas Malala, the DCP’s Interim Party Leader, echoed similar sentiments in an interview with KTN television.
“We are aware that the goons were state-sponsored,” said Malala.
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However, Interior Security Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen dismissed the claims, suggesting instead that the chaos erupted after a group of attendees demanded payment for services rendered at the event.
He did not elaborate on who had engaged the individuals.
In a more conciliatory tone, Deputy President Kindiki Kithure released a statement urging all political leaders to exercise restraint and uphold democratic values.
“Kenya’s political space must be governed by tolerance and peaceful engagement,” Kindiki said.
The DCP party is set to be officially launched on June 4.
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