The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has summoned Rigathi Gachagua following allegations made by the impeached deputy president regarding attempts on his life.
After being discharged from Karen Hospital in Nairobi on Sunday, where he had been admitted since Thursday as Senators voted to remove him from office, Gachagua claimed there were two assassination attempts before his impeachment was presented to Parliament.
Counts of the alleged assassinations’ attempts
“I don’t feel safe. On August 30, undercover police agents in Kisumu entered my room, and one of them attempted to poison my food, but we detected it and managed to escape. I was supposed to be killed through poisoning,” he said during a press conference.
“On September 3rd in Nyeri, NIS (National Intelligence Service) officers attempted to poison food meant for me and Kikuyu elders. I reported the incident to the NIS and dismissed the officers assigned to my office. After their failed assassination attempts, this impeachment motion was orchestrated,” Gachagua claimed.
In a letter on Monday, the DCI stated that “serious allegations from someone of [Gachagua]’s stature cannot be taken lightly.”
The agency directed the impeached deputy president to appear at its Nairobi headquarters on Tuesday to provide a statement, promising a “prompt and thorough” investigation into the matter.
Betrayal
“We recognize the sensitivity of these allegations and assure you that the matter will be addressed with the utmost seriousness. Your statement is a vital part of our investigation,” the DCI stated.
During the press conference, Gachagua accused President William Ruto of betrayal, expressing shock, saying he never expected the Head of State “to be that ruthless.”
See also What next after Gachagua’s Impeachment.
He expressed disbelief that someone he had “helped become President” and trusted could turn against him.
“If anything happens to me or my family, President Ruto must be held accountable,” he said.
Ruto has remained silent on Gachagua’s impeachment since the motion was introduced and has yet to respond to the ousted deputy president’s allegations from Sunday.
