Gachagua claims life in danger as he lists 6 'planned' attacks in 5 months
The former DP claimed that the threats to his life began in late 2024, when he was attacked during a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County, on November 28.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has written to the Inspector General of Police, claiming his life and that of his family are in danger.
In a detailed letter dated April 15, 2025, also copied to President William Ruto, Gachagua listed a series of incidents which he says point to a coordinated effort to harm him and accused police leadership of deliberately leaving him exposed to attacks.
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“Reference is made to the above subject matter for your immediate action and attention regarding my security, that of my family, my supporters and my property,” Gachagua stated in the letter.
The former DP claimed that the threats to his life began in late 2024, when he was attacked during a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County, on November 28.
He described the incident as an assassination attempt that failed. Despite the public nature of the attack, he lamented that no action was taken against the perpetrators.
He also recounted an incident on December 19, 2024, in Makueni County, where he claimed he was followed by an unmarked car for more than 150 kilometers.
He said he did not know the motive of those trailing him but linked it to what he called increased surveillance by people believed to be National Intelligence Service (NIS) officers.
Gachagua added that his family members had also been followed on various occasions by individuals using unmarked vehicles with suspicious number plates. He expressed concern that this surveillance was not random but part of a wider pattern of intimidation.
In another incident, he said a meeting he was holding on December 28, 2024, in Shamata, Nyandarua County, was violently disrupted by a group he described as an “organised criminal gang.”
He claimed that a tear gas canister was thrown at him during the event, which was meant to scatter his supporters and create chaos that could have led to his assassination.
The former Deputy President, who was impeached in October 2024, further alleged that on January 18, 2025, his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, was attacked during a prayer rally at Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri Town.
Gachagua said his wife had to be rescued by private security personnel. He said he had skipped the rally after receiving an intelligence tip-off.
“I skipped as a responsible citizen to avoid what would have led to conflict, bad for our nation,” he wrote.
Gachagua directly accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of failing in his constitutional duty to protect citizens and instead enabling acts of violence and crime.
“As you are aware, you have a constitutional responsibility and duty to protect the life and property of every Kenyan… However, in this case, Kanja, you are perpetuating crime and violence,” Gachagua added.
He listed another incident that occurred on April 6, 2025, at PCEA Kasarani East Parish, as further proof that his safety was at risk.
Gachagua claimed that since his security detail had been withdrawn, he has had to rely on private protection, who sometimes had to intervene, like at the church service in Mwik,i where his bodyguards fired warning shots to disperse a rowdy group.
In his statement, he did not just present concerns; he also issued several demands to the Inspector General.
He called for the arrest and prosecution of those who have threatened or attacked him and demanded security coverage at all public functions he attends, noting that he still holds a leadership position in the country.
Gachagua also urged government officials, including those from the National Intelligence Service, to stop following him and interfering with public gatherings. He demanded that his homes and properties be protected as part of his constitutional rights.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) responded to one of the incidents raised in his letter, particularly the drama that unfolded on April 7 during the PCEA Mwiki church event.
The DCI said the church had not informed local police about the event or the presence of politicians.
“The Mwiki police command has stated that the church failed to notify the police of the planned function, which included political leaders, and therefore, no advance security measures were deployed to handle such an eventuality,” the DCI said.
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