By JAMES MURIMI - Reporter
Kenya, Novemebr 17 2025 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of plotting to harm him and interfering with campaigns ahead of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election in Embu County scheduled for November 27.
Speaking during a one-on-one interview with Inooro TV on Sunday in Kanyuambora, Mbeere North, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader claimed that senior state officials had repeatedly attempted to eliminate him in recent months.
Gachagua said he had initially planned to attend the burial service of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga at Nyayo National Stadium but abandoned the idea after receiving warnings from individuals he said were within the National Police Service.
“I had prepared to attend the event at Nyayo Stadium, but I have many people in government who inform me of what is being planned against me,” he said. “The government had planned that I be beaten by police officers in civilian clothes so that it appears as though I had been attacked by members of the Luo community.”
He added that similar plots had been hatched earlier during events in Limuru, a church service at PCEA Mwiki and upon his arrival from the United States, alleging that individuals “sent to eliminate” him were never arrested.
Gachagua said intelligence he received also indicated that a plan had been made to attack him during Raila’s burial in Bondo, Siaya County. “The intention was to insinuate that I had been killed by people from the Luo community so as to drive a wedge between Luos and Kikuyus. I resisted falling into that trap,” he said.
Gachagua accused President William Ruto and other senior government figures of displaying “crocodile tears” during the burial of the ODM leader, claiming their statements were insincere.
He said he had communicated with Raila’s daughter, Winnie Odinga, and promised to visit the family after he concludes campaigns for the Mbeere North by-election. “I will lead a huge delegation of political leaders, clergy and Kikuyu elders to condole with the family. The visit will help cement the long-standing relationship between the Kikuyu and Luo communities,” he said.
Gachagua lauded Raila as a leader of integrity and said he intends to build DCP in a similar fashion to ODM. “One of the biggest mistakes we made as the Mt Kenya region was going into the 2022 General Election without our own political party,” he said.
He argued that the region needs a strong political vehicle to negotiate government positions, adding that joining the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) left Mt Kenya “short-changed.”
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The former Deputy President appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to ensure that the upcoming by-elections are free, fair and credible. He urged young people aged between 18 and 35 to protect the vote, alleging there were plans by the State to disrupt the process.
“We have organised our youths to safeguard our votes. We will not allow any form of disruption,” he said. Gachagua further alleged that President Ruto, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire were coercing Mbeere North voters to elect UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende. Mbarire is also the national chairperson of UDA.
“CS Ruku is full of pride and has thrown himself into the campaigns. He is flying around in helicopters, dishing out money to voters, escorted by police. Let our people take the money until November 24, but on November 27, they should make a wise decision by electing Kariuki,” Gachagua said, referring to Newton Kariuki, his preferred candidate.
He dismissed accusations that he was inciting violence, insisting the State was the one “precipitating chaos.” He urged Mbeere North residents to reject intimidation, bribery and “manipulation through State machinery.”
Gachagua has joined hands with several opposition figures to campaign for Kariuki, including Democratic Party (DP) leader Justin Muturi, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, DAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa, former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi and former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti.
On Sunday, Gachagua kicked off a 10-day campaign tour for Kariuki, who is running on a DP ticket. The seat fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku, then the MP for Mbeere North, was appointed Public Service Cabinet Secretary by President Ruto.
Muturi, a former Attorney General and former Speaker of the National Assembly, previously served as Public Service Cabinet Secretary in President Ruto’s Cabinet.
He later fell out with Kenya Kwanza leadership and was dismissed, paving the way for Ruku’s appointment.
Muturi’s Democratic Party (DP) joined Kenya Kwanza in May 2022 under a formal coalition agreement. Gachagua reiterated that the Opposition’s main focus is unseating President Ruto in 2027.
“As the Opposition, our only problem in Kenya is Ruto and we must vote him out. You cannot force a candidate on the electorate,” he said.
