Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him, warning that any harm to his life would plunge the country into political turmoil.
Speaking during a press briefing at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, Gachagua—who is also the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP)—claimed that State security agencies had been weaponised to intimidate and silence him.
“I want to advise the National Security Council to tell William Ruto that if Rigathi Gachagua is assassinated or injured, there will be turmoil in this country,” he said, adding that the alleged actions against him were wrong and dangerous.
Gachagua said he would not be intimidated and vowed to continue what he described as his mission to “liberate the country.” He urged his supporters to remain firm and called on young people to protect political gatherings from what he termed hired goons.
The former Deputy President alleged that the latest incident occurred earlier in the day at Witima ACK Church in Othaya Constituency, where he was attending a church service. He claimed police officers, accompanied by armed civilians, stormed the church compound, firing teargas and live bullets.
“This was an assassination attempt by the government through the Kenya Police Service,” Gachagua alleged. “If a government can attack a church that prayed it into power, then it has gone rogue.”
He further accused the officers of injuring women and children, torching one of his vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser—deflating tyres of cars parked within the church compound and assaulting congregants outside the sanctuary.
According to Gachagua, the attackers arrived in a Nissan matatu belonging to Namu Shuttle and were accompanied by at least 15 police officers armed with AK-47 rifles and teargas canisters. He claimed spent cartridges recovered at the scene were proof that the attack was carried out by State security officers.
No official response had been issued by the police or government authorities at the time of publication.
