Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, December 28, sent a message to President William Ruto just hours after an attack on him during an event in Nyandarua.
In a statement, Gachagua warned Ruto against actions that undermine the Constitution and cautioned him against ‘disregarding’ the will of Kenyans.
“To President Ruto, no amount of intimidation or violence will stop the Kenyan people from criticising you, demanding for good governance and accountability, or asking you to respect democracy and the rule of law,” Gachagua asserted.
His message came just hours after an alleged attack during a thanksgiving prayer service at Shamata Ward MCA Gitau Njamba in Nyandarua that led to police using tear gas and firing gunshots.
Rigathi Gachagua and Nyandarua Senator John Methu on Saturday, December 28, 2024. PHOTO/ Rigathi Gachagua.
“Today at a Thanksgiving Prayer Service at Shamata in Nyandarua scores of police officers were deployed purportedly to provide security. However and without any provocation whatsoever, a uniformed Inspector of Police gave a teargas canister to an officer in plain clothes to throw into a VIP tent, causing panic and commotion. This was despite the fact that the prayers were peaceful and everyone was calm,” claimed Gachagua as he detailed the turn of events.
Gachagua, who has been vocal against the Kenya Kwanza Government since his impeachment in October was forced to scamper for safety with his envoy when the commotion started.
The event took a wrong turn when Nyandarua Senator John Methu addressed the crowd before a fracas disrupted his speech. Footage seen by Kenyans.co.ke showed a teargas canister being thrown at the dias while he was speaking. This caused a commotion, with the crowd dispersing in different directions.
Fortunately for Gachagua and leaders allied to him present at the event, area residents took the initiative to escort the alleged attackers out of the event to which Gachagua expressed his gratitude.
“I want to acknowledge the resilience and courage of everyone who attended this event for ensuring that despite this attack by the police the prayers continued to their focal conclusion,” the former deputy stated.
“I also want to thank the residents of Shamata for taking charge of the meeting and escorting the attackers out of the meeting, while providing security to the women and children present at the function, as well as the leaders who were present,” he added.
In his message on social media, Gachagua faulted the authorities who he accused of being used for political witch hunt and stepping out of their mandate.
“But it is yet another moment of great shame to our National Police Service who are already disgraced for carrying out illegal abductions and extrajudicial killings of our children. Why do you allow yourselves to be used for political purposes?” he quipped.
Gachagua speaking immediately after the chaos in Nyandarua insisted that he would continue to fight for Kenyans’ rights despite apparent persecution from the government.
Gachagua has been keen on consolidating support from Kenyans since his impeachment, making his presence felt, particularly in Central Kenya.
His latest brush with drama came barely a month after goons disrupted another function in Limuru where he was an attendee. In the wake of the incident which saw his convoy pelted with stones and chairs, Gachagua boldly came out to claim an assassination plot against him.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Nyandarua Senator John Methu enjoy a dance in Nyandarua during the thanksgiving service for Shamata Ward MCA Hon. Gitau Njamba in Nyandarua County. PHOTO/ Rigathi Gachagua.