Nairobi, Kenya | By Michael Wandati | The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua following allegations he made regarding threats to his life.
On Sunday, Gachagua, recently discharged from Karen Hospital in Nairobi, spoke out about two alleged assassination attempts prior to his impeachment. He had been admitted to the hospital on Thursday, coinciding with the Senate’s decision to remove him from office.
The DCI is now investigating the claims made by Gachagua, which have sparked widespread attention.
“I don’t feel safe. On August 30, undercover cover police agents in Kisumu entered my room and one of them tried to poison my food but we detected it and we were able to escape. I was supposed to be killed through poisoning,” he told a press conference.
“On September 3rd in Nyeri, NIS (National Intelligence Service) officers came to Nyeri and tried to poison food belonging to me and Kikuyu elders. I reported the matter to NIS and asked the officers assigned to my office to leave. After attempts to assassinate me failed, this impeachment motion was hatched.”
In a letter on Monday, the DCI said “serious allegations emanating from a person of [Gachagua]’s stature cannot be taken lightly.”
The investigative agency told the impeached DP to appear at its Nairobi headquarters on Tuesday to record a statement for “prompt and thorough” investigations into the matter.
“We understand the sensitivity of the allegations and assure you that this matter will be handled with the seriousness it deserves. Your statement is a crucial component of our investigation,” DCI said.
During a recent press briefing, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused President William Ruto of betrayal, expressing shock at the President’s actions. Gachagua remarked that he never expected the Head of State to be “that vicious.”
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He added that he was shocked by how a man he “helped to be President… believed in” could turn against him.
“If anything happens to me or my family President Ruto must be held to account,” he said.
President William Ruto has remained silent on the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, neither commenting on the motion nor addressing Gachagua’s recent accusations.
On Friday, Ruto nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki to fill the deputy position. However, Kindiki has been unable to take office due to court orders that have halted his swearing-in, pending the resolution of legal challenges against the impeachment.
