Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on President William Ruto to honor his commitments and secure the release of individuals allegedly abducted by a suspected special police unit. Speaking at Gakoigo Grounds in Maragua during a funeral service for four children who perished in a house fire, Gachagua emphasized the emotional toll these incidents have taken on affected families.
“These abductions are not part of regular police operations but are conducted by an external unit,” Gachagua claimed. He urged Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja to avoid the missteps of his predecessor, Japheth Koome, who resigned months ago. Gachagua also demanded that the government uphold the rule of law and hold those responsible for the abductions accountable.
“The police should protect, not harm, citizens. What happened in Limuru and Shamata is unacceptable,” he said. Gachagua criticized President Ruto’s governance, accusing him of appointing political allies instead of focusing on resolving pressing issues.
He pledged to announce the next steps for his supporters by January 2025 and praised local leaders, including Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua, for their continued support. Nyutu reaffirmed the Mount Kenya region’s political position, dismissing concerns that the appointment of Prof. Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President would shift their allegiance.
Maragua MP Mary Wamaua voiced her concerns over the abductions, noting that some victims were targeted for drawing cartoons about national issues. She criticized local authorities for failing to investigate the fire that claimed the lives of four children, saying, “If this family were wealthy, the case would have received immediate attention.”
Wamaua also dismissed claims that recent government appointments of former Governor Mwangi wa Iria and Kembi Gitura would undermine Gachagua’s influence in Murang’a.
National Cohesion and Integration Commission (NCIC) Vice Commissioner Wambui Nyutu condemned the abductions, labeling them undemocratic. She urged authorities to follow legal procedures, stating, “If youths are accused of wrongdoing, they should be charged in court where due process can be observed.”
Murang’a MCAs, led by Deputy Speaker Gachui Mungai, reiterated their support for Gachagua, expressing concerns over the rising number of abductions in the region. “The unity of the region remains intact, but there is mounting frustration over these incidents,” said Gachui.
Wambui Nyutu concluded by insisting that the government must prioritize justice and transparency, ensuring that all citizens are treated equally under the law.
