Nairobi, Kenya – October 21, 2024: Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to record a formal statement regarding recent claims of assassination attempts on his life.
This comes just days after Gachagua publicly alleged, in a press conference on October 20, that multiple attempts had been made to poison him.
According to the summons letter issued by the DCI and signed by J.K. Marete, the Deputy President is required to appear at the DCI headquarters on October 22, 2024.
The letter specifically addresses two incidents cited by Gachagua. In one, he stated, “On August 30th, in Kisumu, undercover security agents entered my room, bugged it, and one of them tried to poison my food.
We detected it and were able to escape the scheme. I was supposed to be killed by food poisoning." Gachagua further detailed a second attempt, which he claims occurred on September 3rd in Nyeri.
He alleged that another group of agents from the National Intelligence Service tried to poison food that was intended for him and the Kikuyu Council of Elders.
“These are serious allegations emanating from a person of your stature and cannot be taken lightly,” the DCI letter reads. It further underscores the importance of Gachagua’s statement to ensure "prompt and thorough investigations into the matter."
This development unfolds at a time of heightened political tension in the country, as the Deputy President faces a potential impeachment motion in Parliament.
The motion, reportedly driven by growing dissatisfaction within the ruling party and opposition factions, has added further pressure on Gachagua. His leadership has been under scrutiny, with accusations ranging from abuse of office to corruption.
The allegations of assassination attempts only add to the swirling controversy around the Deputy President. Some political analysts suggest that these claims may be part of a broader effort by Gachagua to garner public sympathy and deflect attention from the impeachment process. On the other hand, his supporters argue that the threats are real and reflect the high-stakes nature of Kenyan politics.
As the political drama continues to unfold, Gachagua’s statement at the DCI headquarters will likely play a pivotal role in shaping the narrative around his leadership and the assassination claims.
Gachagua has yet to publicly respond to the DCI summons but is expected to address the nation after his appearance at the headquarters.