Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja responds to allegations by Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday reiterated allegations of a plot to assassinate him and asked Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to reinstate his security.
In a letter dated April 15, 2025, the former DP has cited incidents in which his meetings were marred with violence that he noted threatened his security, that of his family and supporters.
“You withdrew my security in a clear thought-out scheme and backward conspiracy to make me vulnerable to organized criminal gangs in cohort with the police and other security agencies and have been implementing the scheme," Mr Gachagua, who was impeached in October, told Mr Kanja in the letter.
He alleged that the security withdrawal was meant to give “evil schemers unfettered access to him.”
"As you are aware, you have a constitutional responsibility and duty to protect the life and property of every Kenyan as enshrined in the constitution of Kenya 2010," Mr Gachagua said as he asked the police chief to ensure perpetrators of violence in his meetings are arrested.
A vehicle with shattered windscreen following chaos during a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at PCEA Mwiki on April 6, 2025.
He urged Mr Kanja "to further take note of your constitutional establishment under article 245 of the constitution and more specifically 245(2)(b) on independent command of the National Police Service. “This is as you dine in the oligarchy and anarchism of the current unpopular regime," he claimed.
Kanja responds
In response, Mr Kanja penned a statement downplaying the claims by Mr Gachagua and insisted that the police were ready to provide security to the former Deputy President depending on his needs.
Mr Kanja, in a statement signed by National Police Service Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga, asked Mr Gachagua to notify the police of his movements and whereabouts to assist in the security plans.
“ He (Gachagua) is advised to liaise with police officers at all levels should he require additional security measures, and notify the police in advance of his movements and public engagements to facilitate proper planning and coordination of his security arrangements, “ the NPS statement said in part.
“As a service, we remain apolitical and steadfast in proactively deploying intelligence-led –led measures to pre-empt and respond to security threats through multi-agency approaches while strictly upholding the rule of law and human rights, “ said Mr Kanja.
Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja speaks in Mvita during the official commissioning of the Mbaraki Police Station on March 12, 2025 in Mombasa County.
Mr Gachagua highlighted six incidents, beginning with the Limuru funeral attack on November 28, 2024. During the chaos, Mr Gachagua said his vehicles were damaged, mourners—including women and children—were assaulted, and property was destroyed.
Despite photos and bios of the attackers being shared online, he said, no arrests have been made.
This, he said, was followed by another attack on December 28, 2024, in Shamata in Nyandarua County, where he alleges that an inspector of police led a group that hurled a tear gas canister at him, scattering his supporters.
Mr Gachagua described this as another “assassination attempt,” and he insisted that no disciplinary action has been taken against the officer involved.
He also highlighted an attack in Kamukunji grounds in Nyeri on January 18, 2025, where his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, was preaching, and a gang disrupted the event.
Mr Gachagua claimed police in civilian attire joined the attackers. His wife had to be whisked away for safety. On this day, he said he had received an intelligence tip-off and chose not to attend.
At ACK St Peters’ Cathedral in Nyeri on March 23, 2025, Mr Gachagua said criminal gangs attacked worshippers during a church service he was attending. Vehicles were stoned, christians harassed, and police allegedly stood by and watched, he alleged.
On March 29, 2025, in Naivasha, Mr Gachagua said police violently dispersed residents who had gathered to greet him. His motorcade was trailed to Mai Mahiu, where residents were beaten and tear-gassed.
The most recent one was on April 6, 2025, at PCEA Church, Mwiki in Kasarani sub-county, where a mob allegedly armed with machetes and crude weapons stormed the church where Mr Gachagua was worshipping, causing chaos. No police responded, despite a station being close by, Mr Gachagua said.
'Politically instigated'
Mr Gachagua claimed police and government officials have ignored the incidents, failed to act, and may be complicit. He argued that the silence from the authorities is “louder than ever” and implies a broader, politically motivated campaign against him.
"It is within your knowledge that the Deputy Inspector General of Police had instructed the police not to provide us with security".
"You are aware that there have been deliberate plans to attack my homes in Nairobi, Nyeri and my properties across the country by individuals well known to you or where you are a culpable accomplice. How would you take action anyway?"
Mr Gachagua also complained of hostile trailing by covert security agencies using both marked and unmarked vehicles.
"Take notice that, constantly, these security operatives trail and stalk me and my immediate family members in unmarked cars or and clandestine number plates. This is an affront to the right to privacy," he said.
A vehicle with shattered windscreen following chaos during a church service attended by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at PCEA Mwiki on April 6, 2025.a
"From the above known incidents and others known to you, this is clearly targeted at my life and that of my close family members and my supporters. Be advised that Kenya is a constitutional democracy; the rule of law cannot be applied selectively".
Mr Gachagua said under the Constitution, fundamental freedoms and rights are guaranteed to every Kenyan and not under the mercy of the State and its bureaucrats.
" I demand as follows and be advised so Kanja: Immediate arrest and prosecution of the perpetrators of violence, provide security in all public gatherings that I attend as a leader in this country and provide me with security with immediate effect," he said.
The letter is copied to President Ruto, Interior CS, Director General of the National Intelligence Service, National Police Service Commission's chair, Director General, Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Independent Police Oversight Authority, Kenya Human Rights Commission, International Commission of Jurists and all heads of Missions and Diplomatic Corps in Kenya.
Nation queries through text messages to DCI boss Mohamed Amin and police spokesperson Michael Muchiri went unanswered on Monday.
