Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has directed Mukurwe-ini MP John Kaguchia to file a petition calling for the International Criminal Court (ICC) to investigate the government over the alleged use of the outlawed Mungiki faction.
Speaking during a church service at Guardian Angel Tetu Catholic Church in Nyeri County on Sunday, Gachagua alleged that the government, through Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, is covertly sponsoring the outlawed group with the intent to cause havoc among the people of Mt Kenya.
While Gachagua did not mention names, he referred to the December 31 political rally, led by the controversial pastor and political leader Maina Njenga. During the meeting, Njenga, who has in the past been linked with Mungiki, revealed that he will be taking on Gachagua head-on.
This announcement has triggered Gachagua, who, in response, unleashed a scathing critique of the government while pointing to the past incidents involving the outlaw group.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua(left) with his spouse Pastor Dorcas Rigathi arriving at the Guardian Angels Tetu Catholic Church in Nyeri town Constituency, Nyeri County on Sunday, January 5, 2024.
Rigathi Gachagua.
”The ICC should not wait until crimes against humanity have been committed. This gang is known to have committed crimes against humanity,” Gachagua asserted.
”Why can’t the police instead of giving protection to that criminal gang as directed by the Deputy President deal with the alcohol issue?” he added.
Consequently, the former DP has directed his ally, Kaguchia, to document all the crimes committed by the Mungiki sect in the earlier years and forward the same to the court
”Hon Kaguchia, you must get a team and document all the crimes that were committed by that team of outlawed sects in the 1990s because those were crimes against humanity and start engaging the ICC,” he directed.
The former Deputy President further alleged that after the political rally on December 31st, residents were robbed and harassed, claims that Kenyans.co.ke could not independently verify.
Gachagua’s sentiments could potentially escalate the simmering political temperatures not only in his Mt Kenya home turf but also across the ruling class.
This year is likely set to be a defining moment for Mt Kenya politics, as political lines will be sought to be drawn with Gachagua having announced in November last year that he would be making a big political announcement this month.
”This January, I will tell you what we have agreed, and it is good that I have said that my friend the President did well in bringing on this political fight with the people of the mountain as we have now known him,’’ Gachagua revealed.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua(left) with other leaders during a church service at AIPCA Kangari, Kigumo in Murang’a County on Sunday, November 24, 2024.
Rigathi Gachagua.