Determined leader asserts: I'll govern Mt Kenya region despite confinement in Kamiti, challenges authorities to arrest me
In a dramatic turn of events, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the Kenyan government of political persecution, questioning why he has not been arrested despite having evidence linking him to the violent protests that took place on June 25, 2025.
Speaking during the funeral of Nominated Nyandarua MCA Beth Wahito in Kinangop, Nyandarua County, Gachagua dismissed the allegations as part of a political witch-hunt and dared the authorities to arrest him if they had concrete evidence linking him to the protests.
The former deputy president's statements were part of a broader context where the government had characterized the protests as an "attempted coup," and there were allegations of high-level instigation behind the demonstrations. However, Gachagua maintained that the situation was being manipulated to criminalize dissent and silence critics.
The controversy deepened when Gachagua claimed that he, not President Ruto, was responsible for mobilizing Mt Kenya voters to get Ruto into power. This assertion came after Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara accused Ruto of using Gachagua and plans to abandon him in 2027.
Gachagua's party's lobbyist was previously abducted by the police in a night raid, and his ally was arrested by the DCI in Malindi over the June 25 protests. The former deputy president has also taken issue with DCI boss Mohammed Amin for failing to arrest the real culprits behind the violent protests and looting of businesses.
In a separate development, Gachagua has criticized President Ruto for not using CCTV footage to arrest looters, and he believes the government has planned to arrest him and prevent him from leaving the country. Gachagua has also threatened to lead the Mt Kenya region politically from Kamiti Maximum Prison if imprisoned.
Pressure is mounting on President Ruto to sack security chiefs as Saba Saba nears, but no further details about this are available. Meanwhile, a US lecturer has urged the UK not to host President Ruto, but no details about this are provided.
Amidst these controversies, Gachagua is expected to tour the United States (US) to meet the diaspora community and rally support and funds for his anti-government campaigns. The bank ordered to pay Sh284m withdrawn from Koinange's family account is another development that has caught the attention of Kenyans, but no further details are available at this time.
The government of spin doctors, as senior officers clash on state position, continues to face criticism and questions, with Gachagua's statements adding fuel to the fire. Nyandarua Senator John Methu has stated that his friendship with Ruto is irredeemably destroyed.
As the political landscape in Kenya continues to evolve, it remains to be seen how these developments will unfold and what impact they will have on the country's future.
- The health of Kenya's political climate remains uncertain, as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accuses the government of politically persecuting him.
- The business community in Kenya is concerned over the ongoing political conflicts, with looting of businesses reported during the June 25 protests.
- In the realm of general news, Gachagua has planned to tour the US to garner support for his anti-government campaigns, while a US lecturer has urged the UK not to host President Ruto.
- Crime and justice concerns persist, as Gachagua calls for the arrest of those responsible for the violent protests, and his party's lobbyist and ally have been previously abducted and arrested.
