Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is at the center of a dramatic police manhunt after reportedly going into hiding Sunday evening, May 18, following revelations that he was a wanted man.
Sources indicate that Gachagua narrowly escaped a police dragnet in Murang’a County, swiftly fleeing to his rural home in Wamunyoro, Nyeri, with officers hot on his trail. Police say they were seeking to arrest him for questioning over allegations of incitement, amid rising political tensions.
Eyewitnesses described chaotic scenes as police set up roadblocks along key routes in Murang’a to intercept his convoy after a public appearance. In a desperate bid to avoid capture, some members of his entourage allegedly disguised themselves as avocado traders and escaped on bodabodas.
Homes Surrounded as Police Intensify Hunt
By nightfall, security officers had mounted a siege on Gachagua’s residences in Karen, Nairobi, and Nyeri. His lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, confirmed the developments, accusing the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) of “taking hostage” the former deputy president’s properties.
“To all media houses, kindly be informed that DCI has taken control of both HE Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Karen and Wamunyoro. They are currently manhunting him. We have not been informed of the charges,” Njiru said.
Sources claim Gachagua briefly sought refuge in nearby bushes before relocating. Earlier, heavily armed and masked officers had taken up position at Jogoo Kimakia near Thika’s Blue Post Hotel, reportedly waiting to pounce.
Opposition Condemns ‘Intimidation Tactics’
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka was quick to condemn the unfolding situation, terming the crackdown as “intimidation of the Opposition.”
“This harassment must end. If President Ruto wants to arrest Deputy President Gachagua, let him follow due process,” Kalonzo stated. “Abducting leaders is cowardly and a threat to democracy.”
Mounting Tensions and Political Undercurrents
The attempted arrest follows a wave of fiery speeches by Gachagua, who has emerged as a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration. His latest comments, including a chilling warning that the 2027 elections could trigger chaos if not handled fairly, have sparked national alarm.
“If IEBC messes with the 2027 election, there will be no country left—2007 will look like a Christmas party,” Gachagua warned in a recent interview.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has since issued a stern warning to politicians accused of inciting unrest, saying, “We will put you in jail, and there’s nothing you’ll do about it.”
Speaking during a church event in Nandi County, Murkomen criticized what he called a reckless, tribal-driven political narrative. “This country must have peace. We won’t allow anyone to burn it down,” he declared.
