Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has opened up on how he was saved by citizens following attacks against him while attending a funeral service in Limuru, Kiambu County, on Thursday, November 28.
Speaking on NTV on Sunday evening, Gachagua revealed that could it not be for the members of the public and some of his team that had accompanied him, then he would have been a victim of an assassination.
According to the former DP, the state had lined up a series of fishy events before his attack, some decisions he believes were from a meticulous scheme to attempt his life.
“Peter Mwathi was shouted at when he talked. Heavily hooded masked guys came to our tent and removed the metal tent. They were armed with stones, others with sticks and they charged at me. Guys surrounded me and formed a human shield.” Gachagua stated.
A photo collage of of the aftermarth after Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attacked on Thursday, November 28, 2024.
”The events of Limuru are very sad, a carefully worked out scheme to take away my life was hatched and carried out. It started with the withdrawal of security officers around me,” he added.
According to the former DP, the security detail that had been assigned to him was withdrawn in phases, thereby leaving him to potential threats such as the one that was witnessed last week.
He added that security officers from the Administration Police Unit that had been guarding his Karen home had also been withdrawn, contrary to the law.
“The government removed security from me to expose me,” Gachagua revealed while narrating the events that led to his attack in Limuru.
He added that were it not for the youth who went and formed a security shield around him, then he would have suffered an injury.
”After they whisked me to safety, they covered me in the backseat of the car even as the attacks continued. One of the people who was covering me was hit on the head and sustained injuries,” he added.
Additionally, Gachagua revealed that from the beginning, there were clear plans that there was some fishy activity that was being planned even as they went into the sitting arena.
According to him, he learnt of the plot when a local legislator from the area failed to sit up at the VIP dias and instead opted to sit at a different venue.
He at the same time added that there was no police intervention even as the scenes turned violent despite that the local administration was equally aware that he would attend the event.
“Area MP for Limuru never say with us. He sat across and was on the phone, before some youth came shouting in Kikuyu language saying hit him on the head,” Gachagua added.
Rigathi Gachagua’s damaged car after attack in Limuru.
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Rigathi Gachagua