Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence on the controversial wave of alleged abductions in the country with a hard-hitting statement targeting President William Ruto.
Gachagua, while speaking in a press conference at his Mathira home in Nyeri County on Friday, December 27, suggested that the alleged abductions of prominent social media personalities were the government’s way of silencing its fierce critics.
While describing the current situation in the country as a ‘security crisis’, the former DP faulted the National Intelligence Service for allegedly turning a blind eye to missing Kenyans as he referenced Douglas Kanja’s latest statement where the Inspector General of Police distanced security agencies’ involvement in abductions.
“Inspector General of the national police service insists he is not aware of the abductions, which begs the question,’ how can the police still be in denial when there are witnesses, video evidence and countless grieving families coming forward?” Gachagua posed.
DP Rigathi Gachagua Speaking at the 25th Annual Interministries Union Conference at Inkinyie Primary School Grounds in Kajiado County, August 24.
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DPPS
The former DP further claimed that he took issue with the competency of the NIS when he was still in office but his concerns were allegedly taken to be acts of an insubordinate public servant.
He went on, “When I raised concerns about the dysfunctionality of the National Intelligence Service, I was accused of being insubordinate. However, the events of recent months have regrettably validated my position.”
Gachagua, who was impeached from the office of the Deputy President, ended his statement by calling on the President to take responsibility and address the alleged abductions.
Dig deeper: In the latest wave of social media outrage, Kenyans were up in arms online over the alleged disappearance of a popular cartoonist, who was allegedly taken by unknown persons on December 24 as he was leaving his office.
Pressure on security agencies became so immense, that IG of police Kanja was forced to issue a statement on Wednesday distancing police from any involvement in abductions.
Kanja’s statement, however, only raised more questions than answers as the public was left to wonder who was behind the abductions. Narc-K party leader Martha Karua, Busia Senator Okiyah Omtatah and AUC Chairperson hopeful Raila Odinga are among other prominent names to pile pressure on IG Kanja to bring more clarity to the situation.
Meanwhile, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) on Friday revealed worrying stats, claiming there have been 82 abductions since June 2024.
According to the commission, this included six Kenyans who were allegedly abducted in December this year alone.
A collage of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja during past events.
Rigathi Gachagua/NPS