Homes associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were on Sunday night the scene of a dramatic police operation, as heavily armed officers drawn from elite state security units surrounded his residences in Karen, Nairobi, and Wamunyoro, Nyeri County.
The nighttime raid was confirmed by Gachagua’s close ally and legal counsel, Ndegwa Njiru, who raised the alarm through a public alert, claiming that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) had taken control of the properties and were actively pursuing the embattled politician.
“To all media houses, kindly be informed that the DCI has taken control of both H.E. Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Karen and Wamunyoro. They are currently manhunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reason,” Njiru stated.
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Photos circulating online appeared to show plain-clothed and uniformed officers stationed around the former second-in-command’s compounds.
The sudden operation has fueled widespread speculation and unrest online, with Gachagua’s supporters demanding answers from the government.
Cleophas Malala, Deputy Party Leader of the Democracy and Citizens Party (DCP), where Gachagua serves as Party Leader, condemned the raid, terming it unlawful and politically motivated.
“This evening, officers drawn from the DCI, GSU, NIS, and other special forces have raided and unlawfully occupied my Party Leader, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Wamunyoro, Mathira, and even Karen, attempting to apprehend him for only God knows what!” Malala said in a strongly worded statement.
He further accused President William Ruto’s administration of weaponising security forces to silence dissent and settle political scores.
“I strongly condemn the misuse of our disciplined forces to settle political scores by this failing Ruto regime. No amount of intimidation or dictatorship can stop the inevitable — Ruto’s one-term reality. He must go, and go he will,” added Malala.
In a related development, Nyandarua Senator John Methu claimed he narrowly evaded arrest by hitching a ride in a pickup transporting avocados. In a post shared online, Methu thanked a “good Samaritan” for helping him escape what he described as a coordinated attempt to detain him.
“Thank you all for your concern. I am safe. If you’re the one who gave a lift to an old man wearing a jacket and black cap in a pickup full of avocados and dropped me off at Delview, thank you. The Subarus had ill intentions,” Methu posted.
The incident comes just days after Gachagua issued a stern warning to the government, urging it not to tamper with the integrity of the 2027 General Election. The former DP said any attempt at electoral manipulation would face resistance from the people.
On Sunday, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking at separate political events, pledged to take firm action against any leaders inciting the public ahead of the next general elections — remarks that now appear to be linked to growing political tension within the ruling establishment.
The government is yet to officially confirm or clarify the reasons behind the late-night operation targeting Gachagua.