By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 25 January 2026 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of orchestrating an assassination attempt against him, warning that any harm to his life would plunge the country into instability.
Speaking during a press briefing at his Wamunyoro home in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, Gachagua—who is also the leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP)—claimed that security agencies had been weaponised to silence him.
“I want to advise the National Security Council to tell William Ruto that if Rigathi Gachagua is assassinated or injured, there will be turmoil in this country,” he said.
“What he is doing is wrong. Somebody must talk some sense to the President.”
Gachagua said he remained defiant despite what he described as sustained intimidation, insisting he would continue with what he termed a mission to “liberate the country.” He urged his supporters to remain steadfast and called on young people to protect political meetings from what he described as hired goons.
The former Deputy President alleged that the latest attack occurred earlier in the day at Witima ACK Church in Othaya Constituency, Nyeri County, where he was attending a church service. He claimed police officers, accompanied by armed civilians, descended on the church, firing teargas and live bullets.
“This was an assassination attempt by the government through the Kenya Police Service,” Gachagua said. “If a government can attack a church that prayed it into power, then it has truly gone rogue. Nobody is safe anymore.”
He accused police officers of injuring women and children, torching one of his vehicles—a Toyota Land Cruiser—deflating tyres of vehicles parked within the church compound and assaulting congregants who were outside the sanctuary.
According to Gachagua, the attackers arrived in a Nissan matatu belonging to Namu Shuttle and were accompanied by at least 15 police officers armed with AK47 rifles and teargas canisters. He claimed spent cartridges recovered at the scene were evidence that the attack was carried out by security officers.
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“Kenyans are not foolish,” he said. “Where do you get teargas, police Land Cruisers and AK47 rifles? Are they sold in supermarkets?”
Gachagua dismissed claims by what he termed “government bloggers” that the incident had been stage-managed, saying all such attacks are documented and evidence is already circulating on social media.
He further questioned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s call for investigations, arguing that the Interior Ministry could not credibly probe an incident involving officers under its command.
“How can Murkomen investigate himself? How do police investigate themselves?” Gachagua posed. “These officers are known. The vehicle number plates are available and images of the officers involved are already in the public domain.”
He accused the President of turning the Mt Kenya region against his administration, saying the use of force and intimidation would only deepen public resentment.
“There is no way you can force people from this region to support you,” he said. “Using police and goons is only making things worse.”
Gachagua thanked members of the Witima ACK Church for praying during the attack and urged Kenyans to pray for the country, saying God remained in control despite the escalating political tensions.
“How can an attack last for 40 minutes, with live bullets and teargas, at a church, and then the Interior CS boldly says they are going to investigate?” he asked.
