DCI summons Gachagua over assassination claims

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned Rigathi Gachagua over allegations the impeached deputy president made about purported attempts on his life.

Gachagua, speaking on Sunday after he was discharged from the Karen Hospital in Nairobi where he was admitted on Thursday as Senators were voting to oust him, claimed there were two assassination attempts on him before the impeachment was tabled in Parliament. 

“I don’t feel safe. On August 30, undercover cover police agents in Kisumu entered my room and one of them tried to poison my food but we detected it and we were able to escape. I was supposed to be killed through poisoning,” he told a press conference.

“On September 3rd in Nyeri, NIS (National Intelligence Service) officers came to Nyeri and tried to poison food belonging to me and Kikuyu elders. I reported the matter to NIS and asked the officers assigned to my office to leave. After attempts to assassinate me failed, this impeachment motion was hatched.”

In a letter on Monday, the DCI said “serious allegations emanating from a person of [Gachagua]’s stature cannot be taken lightly.”

The investigative agency told the impeached DP to appear at its Nairobi headquarters on Tuesday to record a statement for “prompt and thorough” investigations into the matter.

“We understand the sensitivity of the allegations and assure you that this matter will be handled with the seriousness it deserves. Your statement is a crucial component of our investigation,” DCI said.

During the media conference, Gachagua accused President William Ruto of betrayal, saying he did not know the Head of State “could be that vicious.”

He added that he was shocked by how a man he “helped to be President… believed in” could turn against him.

Ruto has not commented on Gachagua's impeachment since its motion was moved and has not addressed the ousted DP’s Sunday allegations, either.

The President on Friday nominated Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki as his next deputy.

However, Kindiki is yet to assume office due to court orders blocking his swearing-in pending the hearing and determination of cases challenging the impeachment.