Gachagua slams Ruto, defends Uhuru as goons attack convoy

DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua addresses residents of Naivasha where he lashed out at President William and told him to keep of former President Uhuru Kenyatta. [Antony Gitonga, Standard]

Chaos erupted after goons attacked a DCP convoy led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday.

Six vehicles were stoned and vandalized while leaders and supporters scampered for safety in the incident at Kaptembwo in Nakuru West Sub County.

Journalists who had gone to cover the rally were not spared as they fled for safety, with one of Gachagua's media team's vehicles vandalized.

Gachagua condemned leaders responsible for the chaos. Among those he mentioned was a Nakuru MP who allegedly mobilized goons to attack the convoy.

"That MP mobilized goons to stone our vehicles and disrupt our campaigns. We believe that he was sent with the president," Gachagua alleged.

He asked the residents of Nakuru not to elect such leaders and to shun them.

Before the chaos, the DCP lashed out at President William Ruto over his attack on former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Rigathi accused Ruto of trying to divert Kenyans' attention from failed medical cover, the health sector, and the financial crisis by using Uhuru's name.

On Thursday, while speaking in Eldoret,  Ruto accused Uhuru of funding the opposition and failing to deliver universal health care and affordable housing during his tenure.

But speaking in Naivasha, Rigathi hit out at Ruto, saying that he should deal with his failures which had left Kenyans suffering for years.

He told Ruto to carry his own cross and be prepared to be sent home come 2027 as Kenyans were tired of his lies and failed promises.

“Ruto should deal with his lies, which include failed medical cover and the university funding model, and keep off the affairs of former President Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said.

He said that Kenyans had suffered over killings of Gen-Z and abductions under Ruto's watch, adding that this had nothing to do with Uhuru's tenure.

Speaking in Naivasha town, Rigathi alleged a plot by the State to cause chaos and kill people during the planned Linda Mwananchi campaigns in Homabay over the weekend.

He called on Homabay Governor Gladys Wanga and the PS for Interior Raymond Omollo to desist from plans to use goons to disrupt the Homabay meeting.

“We have credible information that the government plans to use goons during the Linda Mwananchi campaigns in Homabay and we urge the President to tame his goons,” he said.

Rigathi called for investigations into allegations that a senior police officer in Kisumu shot and killed a youth and was still walking scot-free.

Rigathi at the same time hit out at Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, terming her a traitor who had failed to deliver and was responsible for the closure of War Memorial Hospital.

“Kihika has decided to do business with the county, and she is responsible for the suffering of area residents and the closure of War Memorial Hospital,” he said.

He further questioned the composition of senior police officers and Kengen staff, noting that this was skewed towards one tribe.

On his part, Nyandaru Senator John Methu defended Uhuru, warning the government that the opposition would not stand back and watch as the former President was humiliated.

“Ruto knows he has lost the trust and goodwill of his people and is instead trying to divert our attention to Uhuru, and we shall not fall for that,” he said.

Others who spoke were Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu, who said that Kenyans were tired of the forced abductions and killings of Gen-Zs.

“We are firmly behind Uhuru and Rigathi, and we shall not be swayed by any threats or intimidation by this government that has failed to deliver,” he said.

Others who spoke were Naivasha MP Jane Kihara, her Kipipiri counterpart Wanjiku Muhia, John Kagucia (Mukurweini), among others.