Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was forced to make drastic changes to his inner staff, including bringing in his personal chef. Media reports reveal that these security concerns arose long before his impeachment, which ultimately took place on October 17.
The incident dates back to August 30, when Gachagua’s room at Acacia Premier Hotel in Kisumu was allegedly bugged by state agents. The bugging reportedly captured a conversation between Gachagua and an MP from the Rift Valley, a political ally. This event marked the beginning of Gachagua’s growing paranoia, leading him to reshuffle his kitchen staff amid concerns for his safety.
At the time, Gachagua refused to consume food prepared by state-assigned staff at his official residence, citing fears of being poisoned. Instead, he brought in his private chef from his Karen home to prepare all his meals, a move aimed at ensuring food security. Sources close to Gachagua suggest he had become increasingly wary after learning that some state staff were leaking confidential information about his operations.
Prior to the August incident, Gachagua had already been advised by allies to be more cautious, especially after one of his close confidants leaked his travel documents in a WhatsApp group. Gachagua’s heightened suspicions were also fueled by reports that two assassination attempts had been made on his life—one during his Kisumu trip and another during a meeting with Nyeri leaders. He claimed both plots involved attempts to poison his food.
As a result of these threats, Gachagua implemented significant changes to his staff. He transferred the officer in charge of his kitchen and reassigned the person handling his laundry. This reshuffling was meant to restore his confidence in the people responsible for his security and personal affairs. Gachagua’s decision to limit access to his meals to only his trusted chef reflected his growing mistrust of government-assigned staff.
These security concerns surfaced long before Gachagua’s eventual impeachment. His alertness to the possibility of betrayal within his circle of staff and the alleged poisoning attempts became defining moments in his leadership style, influencing the decisions he made in his final months as Deputy President.
