State partially restores Gachagua’s security detail following outcry

The government has partially reinstated the security detail of the impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following his recent concerns about personal safety.

Gachagua, who raised alarm after his security was withdrawn post-impeachment, attended a church service in Kiambu County on Sunday with visibly heightened security.

Speaking during the church service, Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang'wa urged the government to further reinstate Gachagua's full team.

"The state has reinstated part of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's security detail. In the same spirit, I urge the government to take the next honourable step and reinstate his employees as well. Justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done,” he said.

Senator Thang'wa was one of the leaders present at St James ACK Cathedral in Kiambu, alongside former United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary-General Cleophas Malala, who confirmed that Gachagua’s security had indeed been partially restored.

“Yes, it’s true,” Malala said.

Gachagua was joined at the church event by his wife, Dorcas, and an entourage of political leaders, including Nyandarua Senator John Methu, Murang'a Senator Joe Nyutu, MPs Gathoni Wamuchomba (Githunguri), Njeri Maina (Kirinyaga Woman Rep), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), George Koimburi (Juja), Jayne Kihara (Naivasha), John Kagucia (Mukurwe-ini), Onesmus Ngogoyo (Kajiado North), and several MCAs from Kiambu, Murang’a, and Kirinyaga. Former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand Waititu was also in attendance.

Psalm 30:12:

"That my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!"

It is always spiritually nourishing going before the Lord, in His House, to pray and give thanks for his goodness. pic.twitter.com/V78neGSER1

— H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH (@rigathi) October 27, 2024

The church appearance marked a stark contrast to last week when Gachagua appeared without security while addressing journalists at Karen Hospital.

The ousted DP revealed that his security protection team had been withdrawn and that President William Ruto would be responsible if anything happened to him.

Gachagua – who has dismissed the impeachment charges against him as politically motivated – told journalists his safety was at risk.

“It’s the most unfortunate thing that has ever happened in this country that you can be so vicious to a man who helped you to be President,” he told journalists, referring to Ruto, whose candidacy he supported in the 2022 elections.

He also claimed that attempts had been made on his life. He recounted two specific incidents where he believes he was targeted for poisoning.

He described an alarming encounter on August 30, 2024, in Kisumu, where he claimed undercover security agents entered his room and attempted to poison his food, a scheme that was fortunately thwarted.

“I want to tell the people of Kenya that I don't feel safe. For the first time, let me say that on the 30th of August in Kisumu, undercover security agents entered my room in Kisumu and bugged it, one of them tried to poison my food, but we detected it, and we were able to escape the scheme I was supposed to be killed through poisoning,” he said.