How government carefully worked out a scheme to end my life - Gachagua
Gachagua described the attack as a deliberate plan facilitated by the state through the withdrawal of his security detail.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that the government carefully orchestrated a scheme to end his life during a funeral in Limuru, Kiambu County on November 28.
Recounting the chaotic event, he claimed that armed goons disrupted the service, indiscriminately attacking mourners, including women and children.
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Speaking in an interview with NTV on Sunday, Gachagua described the attack as a deliberate plan facilitated by the state through the withdrawal of his security detail.
"I want to thank God Almighty for His grace and mercy because the events in Limuru were tragic. A carefully worked-out scheme to take away my life was hatched and executed, starting with the withdrawal of my security officers," he said.
He narrated how his security personnel, including an Inspector of Police and administrative officers, were suddenly reassigned two weeks before the attack.
"One was transferred to Kathiani, another to Likoni, and another was recalled to the Security of Government Buildings (SGB) unit. This left me completely exposed," he stated.
Gachagua claimed that the withdrawal of officers began after he left Murang'a on a Sunday and continued over the following weeks.
"The timing of these transfers was deliberate, creating an environment for an attack on me," he said.
Describing the events at the funeral, Gachagua revealed that he had only a group of eight to 10, unarmed private bodyguards when he arrived in Limuru.
He was seated in the VIP tent alongside Kiambu Senator Karungo Wa Thang'wa and former Limuru MP Peter Mwathi. However, the area MP, he noted, sat apart and appeared preoccupied with his phone.
"Everything went smoothly until the speeches began. When Honourable Peter Mwathi spoke, a commotion started. Hooded and masked individuals stormed the VIP tent, bringing it down and removing its metal bars. Armed with sticks, stones, and other crude weapons, they charged toward me viciously," Gachagua recounted.
He credited his bodyguards and local attendees for forming a human shield around him to protect him from the attacks.
"I was rushed to my car, laid flat on the back seat, and shielded by my team. Even then, they attacked the car, shouting in Kikuyu, 'Kill him, hit him on the head," he said.
The former Deputy President expressed shock that there were no police officers in uniform present to restore order, despite over 2,000 people attending the funeral.
He highlighted that the attack left one of his associates hospitalised with head injuries. Gachagua claimed the absence of security personnel and the state's actions pointed to a premeditated plan to arm him.
He further noted that despite some of the goons being identified, none of them had been arrested.