Supporters of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Tuesday took to the streets in parts of Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties, staging protests over alleged threats to his life. The demonstrations disrupted traffic and business operations before police moved in to disperse the crowds.
In Karatina and Mwea, protestors blocked key highways including the Mwea–Embu and Nyeri–Karatina roads, lighting bonfires and chanting slogans condemning what they termed as state-sponsored intimidation against Gachagua.
The protests were triggered by remarks made by the former Deputy President during a press conference on Monday, where he alleged a plot by the state to assassinate him. According to Gachagua, President William Ruto had allegedly given a directive to “deal with him once and for all,” warning that if anything were to happen to him, the President would be responsible.
Gachagua further claimed that a covert team of 101 security officers drawn from the National Police Service, National Intelligence Service, and the General Service Unit (GSU) had been deployed to target him during a church service he attended in Gatanga, Murang’a County.
He also alleged that government operatives were planning to plant illegal firearms in his vehicles and those of allied leaders to implicate them falsely.
“This is no longer about politics. It is about my life. If anything happens to me, let Kenyans know who to hold accountable,” Gachagua said during the press briefing.
The Tuesday protests are the latest in a series of public reactions following Gachagua’s fallout with President Ruto. The former DP, who was impeached in October 2024, has since become an outspoken critic of the administration, accusing top officials of corruption, abuse of power, and betrayal of public trust.
A petition has also been filed seeking to block the withdrawal of Gachagua’s impeachment case, signaling ongoing political tensions.
Local leaders allied to Gachagua have condemned the alleged threats and urged the government to allow the former Deputy President to exercise his democratic rights without fear of persecution.
Meanwhile, the police are yet to issue an official response regarding the allegations or the protests.
As the situation continues to unfold, the country watches closely, with many calling for calm and a commitment to the rule of law.
