Detectives from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations are reportedly hunting for former Deputy President and DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua. According to his lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, DCI officers raided Gachagua’s homes in Mathira and Nairobi on Saturday night in a dramatic operation to apprehend him — a move that has sent political shockwaves across the country.
In a statement to the media, lawyer Ndegwa Njiru said:
“To all media houses, kindly be informed that the DCI has taken hostage all of HE Rigathi Gachagua’s properties both at Karen and at Wamunyoro. They are currently man-hunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reason.”
This sensational twist comes just days after Gachagua made explosive remarks during an interview on the Oga Obina Show, where he issued a stern warning to the yet-to-be-vetted IEBC commissioners.
“Let them be warned early. We will not accept unfair results. Kenya is not anyone’s personal property,” Gachagua said, in what many interpreted as a veiled threat, triggering panic and backlash from across the political divide.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen was quick to respond, calling out Gachagua’s comments during a church service at Nuru AIC in Kitale, Trans-Nzoia County.
“There are people who think they are above the law. Nothing bad will happen under my watch — nobody is above the law,” Murkomen declared.
“We will not condone anyone who wants to burn this country. Our duty is to keep Kenya safe.”
Murkomen further accused the former Deputy President of promoting hate speech, warning that law enforcement agencies would launch a crackdown on individuals spreading division across the country.
The backlash appears to be part of a broader, coordinated response from leaders aligned with the current government. In both Siaya and Busia counties, various leaders echoed calls for Gachagua to be held accountable for what they termed “irresponsible” and “dangerous” rhetoric.
In a quick rejoinder, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also condemned Gachagua’s remarks during an interdenominational service at Amagoro Primary School in Teso North, Busia County.
“Anyone preaching violence is as dangerous as bandits in the North Rift or terrorists in Lamu and Northern Kenya,” said Kindiki.
“We will not allow anyone to shed blood in Kenya. As government, we are committed to ensuring that the 2027 elections will be free, fair, and reflective of the will of the people, as demanded by the Constitution.”
The government now appears to be taking a hardline stance against what it perceives as incitement and sabotage from within its former ranks. Security sources have hinted that more operations are underway to bring Gachagua in for questioning over his remarks.
Meanwhile, Gachagua’s allies accuse the Ruto administration of launching a politically motivated crackdown to silence dissent.
“This is a witch-hunt. They want to intimidate anyone who speaks up,” said a top DCP party insider.
With the former DP reportedly unreachable and his whereabouts unknown, the search is intensifying — and so are tensions within the political establishment. The saga signals a deepening rift in the ruling coalition and raises urgent questions about freedom of expression, state power, and electoral integrity ahead of 2027.
