Kenya’s impeached deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, has made alarming claims that his life is under immediate threat, accusing President William Ruto of being behind efforts to harm him. Gachagua, who is facing charges of corruption, abuse of office, and inciting ethnic tensions, spoke to reporters on Sunday, revealing that attempts had been made on his life, and his personal security had been compromised.
In a deeply concerned statement following his impeachment, Gachagua said his security detail had been abruptly withdrawn, leaving him and his family vulnerable. He described two incidents in Kisumu and Nyeri where he alleges undercover agents attempted to poison his food. ‘I don’t feel safe… There have been two attempts to poison me,’ he claimed.
Gachagua further revealed that his security personnel had been disarmed and ordered to stay away, heightening his fears. ‘Don’t kill us. Don’t kill my children,’ he pleaded in a public appeal, urging President Ruto to ‘leave me alone.’
Impeachment and legal battle
Gachagua’s impeachment has thrown Kenya’s political landscape into turmoil. The deputy president is now preparing for a legal battle to challenge the process, with legal proceedings expected to begin soon. Central to this case will be whether the impeachment followed due process, with Gachagua’s team expected to scrutinise the procedure.
Amid the controversy, President Ruto has moved swiftly to nominate Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki as the new deputy president. However, this appointment has been temporarily blocked by Kenya’s High Court, which issued an order halting the process following an urgent petition challenging Kindiki’s nomination. The petition alleges that the appointment violated constitutional guidelines, and a hearing has been scheduled for Thursday to determine the legality of the nomination.
Political uncertainty
As the political drama unfolds, all proceedings related to Kindiki’s assumption of office are on hold until the court rules on the case. The temporary freeze adds yet another layer of uncertainty to the situation, which has already sparked significant tension within the Kenyan political sphere.
Gachagua, now embroiled in both political and legal battles, has vowed to continue fighting for justice. His impeachment and subsequent claims of threats to his life have put the Kenyan government under intense scrutiny, with many now closely watching how these developments will impact the country’s political stability.
Credit: Africabriefing
