Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of targeting the Kikuyu community through economic sabotage, political persecution, and what he terms as ethnic profiling.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, Gachagua alleged that President Ruto has revived the ethnic hostilities that marked the 2007 post-election violence, this time using state machinery to systematically suppress Kikuyus, particularly those from the Mt. Kenya region.
“History is repeating itself, and the architect William Ruto is back on the deck,” said Gachagua. “He is hell-bent on finishing his unfinished business with the people of Mt. Kenya — destroy their businesses and make them the black sheep of Kenya.”
According to Gachagua, Kikuyu-owned enterprises are being deliberately destroyed under the guise of law enforcement, amounting to what he described as “economic profiling and sabotage.” He also accused the government of weaponizing terrorism laws to target individuals from the region unfairly.
Citing recent legal actions, Gachagua noted that while arson suspects in Homa Bay’s Mawego police station incident were charged with arson, those involved in a similar incident in Kiambu were instead charged with terrorism. He pointed to the case of Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji and others from the region who are facing terrorism-related charges, calling it discriminatory.
Gachagua also made grave allegations that a militia was secretly deployed to various Mt. Kenya locations on the eve of the Saba Saba protests on July 7. He claimed the militia — allegedly sponsored by Ruto and his allies — was tasked with looting, maiming, and destroying property under the watch of police.
“The militia were procured by Ruto, governors and MPs allied to him. They were dropped in strategic locations and had clear instructions to commit crimes and frame the Kikuyu community,” he claimed.
In his most explosive accusation, Gachagua said a 101-member elite killer squad — armed with assault rifles and allegedly under the command of National Intelligence Service (NIS) Director General Noordin Haji — was behind extrajudicial operations disguised as police actions. He claimed the unit used unmarked Subaru vehicles to create the illusion of operations by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“This squad was formed when I was still in government,” he stated. “They were trained by the NIS for abductions, killings, and cover-ups.”
The State House has not yet issued a response to the claims.
Gachagua’s remarks come amid rising tensions over governance, national unity, and police brutality in the wake of anti-government protests. His statements are expected to escalate the political standoff between President Ruto and factions within the Mt. Kenya leadership.
By Rodney Mbua
