Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua yesterday made serious allegations that the Kenyan government is plotting to either eliminate or incapacitate him using chemical agents.

Gachagua claimed that a specialised squad of Administration Police Service officers, specially trained by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), has been deployed against him.

He claims the unit operates under NIS Director General Noordin Haji and that over 100 officers are involved in abductions and extra-judicial killings across the country.

“That squad was planted and mobilised on Sunday to incapacitate me and my team,” Gachagua stated.

“They planned to plant weapons in my convoy and use chemicals to paralyse our brains, similar to what happened to Kenneth Matiba. That’s why we used an alternative route to get here.”

‘Masked officers’

Gachagua described the officers as armed, hooded, and masked, despite a High Court ruling prohibiting officers from concealing their identities. He claimed that intelligence from “patriotic officers” opposed to this “evil mission” revealed plans to plant weapons in his convoy to fabricate evidence for his arrest.

“Around 2:30pm, we received intelligence that officers had clear instructions to plant arms in our convoy to create evidence for arresting us and filing charges,” he explained.

About 30 minutes later, Gachagua alleged, the squad was joined by officers trained in biological weapons. These officers reportedly had orders “to poison me through an inhaled chemical that would paralyse my brain within three months”.

The former Deputy President asserted that President William Ruto is angry because Kenyans have not forgotten the Kiambaa massacre, where women and children were killed during the 2007/2008 post-election violence.

“He is unhappy that I keep reminding Kenyans of this heinous act,” Gachagua said.

“Although Kenyans forgave each other, they cannot forget this, and there’s nothing the President can do about it.”

The Kiambaa massacre was part of the accusations against President Ruto in his discontinued International Criminal Court case.

Private security

Gachagua also alleged that President Ruto ordered his security personnel to be disarmed and their firearm licences withdrawn, potentially allowing attackers to harm him.

Since his official security detail was removed, Gachagua has employed armed private security personnel. He emphasised that he is a licensed firearm holder and that his security team members also legally possess firearms.

“We do not carry illegal weapons. In Kenya, civilians can legally own firearms. Since the government withdrew my security and I’ve faced numerous attacks, it was my responsibility to assemble a team of civilian firearm holders,” he explained.

When asked if he had reported these threats to authorities, Gachagua responded: “How do you report to the very people planning to poison your mind and paralyse your brain?”

He mentioned previously writing to both the Inspector General of Police and the Director of Criminal Investigations, but claims they merely advised him to report to his nearest police station.

“That’s why I’m speaking directly to the Kenyan people, so if anything happens to me, President William Ruto must be held accountable,” he stated.

Gachagua also accused President Ruto of being angered after he exposed an alleged land grab of five acres within Ngong Forest, where the President purportedly plans to build a private hotel.

Defending his previous statements about post-election violence, Gachagua insisted they were precautionary rather than incitement.

“My comments are based on historical facts and past electoral experiences from 1992, 1997, and 2007, when controversial elections occurred. We must ensure free and fair elections,” he said.

‘Ridiculous statements’

He challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to take meaningful action rather than making “ridiculous statements” about not tolerating political violence.

“I urge them to walk the talk. Since November 2024, my family and I have faced political violence of great magnitude, yet not a single case has been investigated,” Gachagua said.

He questioned why the Cabinet Secretary ordered his security detail disarmed instead of arresting those who threatened him, suggesting this was done to give “goons free access” to him and his supporters.

“The practice of waylaying us on roads must stop. If the government believes I’ve committed a crime under Kenyan law, they know my homes and where to find me. They don’t need to ambush me on the road,” he added.

Previous incidents

Gachagua previously claimed his life was in danger in a letter to Inspector General Douglas Kanja, detailing several concerning incidents and accusing police of inaction. These incidents included:

– November 28, 2024: An alleged assassination attempt during a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County

– December 19, 2024: Being followed by an unmarked vehicle for over 150km in Makueni County

– December 28, 2024: Disruption of his meeting in Shamata, Nyandarua County, by an “organized criminal gang”

– January 18, 2025: An attack on his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, at a prayer rally in Nyeri town

– March 23, 2025: An attack on worshippers where he was attending a service at ACK St Peter’s Cathedral in Nyeri

– March 29, 2025: Police allegedly roughing up his supporters in Naivasha

– April 6, 2025: An attack by “rowdy individuals armed with crude weapons” at PCEA Kasarani East Parish in Mwiki, Nairobi

Since his impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua has continued to criticise President Ruto’s administration.