Former Kenyan Vice President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly accused President William Ruto and senior security agencies of orchestrating a state-sponsored plot to assassinate him. In a statement released on Monday, May 19, 2025, Gachagua claimed that during a prayer meeting in Gatanga on Sunday, he received intelligence indicating that President Ruto had directed security agencies to “eliminate him permanently.”
Gachagua alleged that a covert team of 101 officers from various security units, including the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU), and the General Service Unit (GSU), was assembled to execute the plan. He further claimed that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) coordinated the operation, which involved deploying officers to Gatanga to block all exit routes and trap him and his entourage.
He also stated that intelligence reports warned of a scheme to plant weapons in his convoy, leading to his arrest on fabricated charges. Additionally, Gachagua alleged that a specialized team trained in chemical warfare was tasked with poisoning him using airborne toxins designed to cause gradual brain damage over three months.
Gachagua accused President Ruto of ordering the disarmament of his personal security detail, leaving him vulnerable to attacks by state-sponsored assailants. He linked these actions to past political tensions, including the 2007/08 Kiambaa church massacre and allegations of land grabbing in Ngong Forest for personal gain.
He warned that the political history of disputed elections in 1992, 1997, and 2007 should serve as a cautionary tale ahead of the 2027 general elections, in which he intends to run for president.
