Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a startling claim, alleging attempts on his life prior to the drafting of the motion to remove him from office.
“I want to inform Kenyans that I don’t feel safe. While in Kisumu, undercover agents entered my room and bugged it. One of them attempted to poison my food, but we discovered the plot and escaped. A similar attempt was made in Nyeri by NIS agents who also tried to poison me. After these attempts failed, the impeachment motion was initiated,” he said, speaking to journalists on Sunday after being discharged from The Karen Hospital in Nairobi, where he had been admitted since Thursday.
Gachagua also expressed frustration over the withdrawal of his security detail and the dismissal of 108 staff members from his office, maintaining that he still holds the position of deputy president.
“It’s distressing that while I was in the hospital, my brother and friend, the president, withdrew all my security. To further cripple my office, all my staff were put on compulsory leave. I don’t understand this level of hostility towards someone who has been your deputy and supported your presidency. Even at this low point in my life, when I am fighting to stay alive, I hold no grudge against anyone.”
However, Gachagua warned that President Ruto must be held accountable if anything happens to him or his family.
“If anything happens to me or my family, President Ruto must be responsible. As I leave the hospital today, I have no security.”
Gachagua also detailed the events leading up to his hospitalization on Thursday, explaining that his swift decision to seek medical attention likely saved his life.
“A delay of even 20 minutes could have been fatal,” he revealed.
The hospitalization caused him to miss a Senate session where he was to defend himself against 11 charges in the impeachment motion filed by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse. Despite his absence, senators proceeded with the debate, rejecting a proposal to postpone the hearing until Saturday. His lawyer, Paul Muite, had requested an adjournment until Tuesday to allow Gachagua time to recover, but this was overruled by Speaker Amason Kingi.
Gachagua is now challenging the Senate’s decision in court and has obtained orders to halt the swearing-in of his successor, Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki.
Reflecting on his illness, Gachagua said he had eaten lunch with Mt. Kenya senators after the morning session but began experiencing severe chest pains on his way to his office at Harambee House Annex.
“While heading to my office to collect my notes, I suddenly felt sharp chest pain. I sat down, but the pain worsened. I called my doctor and explained my symptoms. While speaking, I began struggling to breathe,” he recounted.
He was rushed to the hospital, where tests were conducted, and he was admitted for treatment.
“Once stabilized, the doctors told me that had I arrived 20 minutes later, we’d be having a very different conversation,” a visibly weak Gachagua said.
“As of now, I feel better, though still a little weak. The chest pains are gone,” he added.
