Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing senior government officials and their associates of planning political violence ahead of the Mbeere North by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025.
In a letter dated November 12, Gachagua, who now leads the Democratic Change Party (DCP), alleged that groups linked to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku were issuing threats against him and his supporters in the constituency.
“My attention has been drawn to widely circulated social media videos threatening election violence ahead of the Mbeere North by-elections,” Gachagua wrote.
“A clip shows Mr. Simon Njagi Njiru, Mr. Josiah Kariuki Ngari, Ms. Susan Nyaga and others issuing threats of violence against the people of Mbeere North and myself.”
The former Deputy President claimed that despite police having evidence of the threats, no arrests had been made.
He demanded that those named in the videos be arrested immediately, arraigned, and charged under the Penal Code.
He further alleged that the individuals in question were close allies of Governor Mbarire and CS Ruku. Njiru, he said, serves as Mbarire’s Director of Communications.
Gachagua accused the National Police Service of ignoring credible threats and allowing political goons to intimidate voters ahead of the by-election.
He warned that failure to act would amount to a breakdown of law and order.
“You will go down in history as the only Inspector General to preside over goonism and total lawlessness,” Gachagua stated.
“No one feels safe in our cities or villages as you watch and do nothing.”
The former Deputy President also linked the current situation to what he termed as past security failures, citing police inaction during the July 7, 2025 “Saba Saba” protests, where lives were lost and businesses destroyed.
He warned IG Kanja that he could be held personally liable before the International Criminal Court (ICC) for acts of omission or commission that may lead to violence, referencing former Police Commissioner Major General Mohammed Ali’s appearance before the ICC following the 2007–2008 post-election violence.
Gachagua said he intends to campaign in Mbeere North from November 16 to 24 and accused state agents of mobilizing goons to disrupt his activities.
“If the police fail to provide adequate security to me and my entourage, the people of Mbeere North will do it themselves,” he warned.
He also accused the government of plotting to interfere with the electoral process, calling on Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson Erastus Ethekon to take action and disqualify the ruling party’s candidate.
“The people of Kenya will not accept any attempt to rig this by-election,” Gachagua said, urging the IEBC to uphold integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
