Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on allied Members of Parliament to take urgent steps in involving the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the resurgence of a criminal gang believed to have committed crimes against humanity in the Mount Kenya region. Speaking at a church service in Nyeri County on Sunday, Gachagua alleged that the government had played a key role in the revival of the notorious gang, which he claims is now terrorizing local communities.
Gachagua’s accusations hark back to the late 1980s and early 90s, during the presidency of Daniel arap Moi, when the gang allegedly caused widespread suffering, including killings and sexual violence. Gachagua claimed that the government, in its attempt to suppress dissent, had sponsored the formation of this criminal group. “In the late 80s, when the people of this region started saying no, a criminal gang was formed to come and punish the people,” he said.
He further pointed to a particularly horrific event in 2009, when the gang allegedly killed 29 people in Nyeri County, raping women and committing other atrocities. Gachagua credited the late Interior Minister John Michuki with neutralizing the gang’s influence at the time.
Now, as he criticizes the current government’s failure to address the gang’s resurgence, Gachagua has instructed his political allies, led by Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia, to demand that the ICC investigate the matter. He emphasized that the crimes committed by the gang in the 90s should be documented as crimes against humanity.
In addition to this, Gachagua accused the National Police Service (NPS) of failing to protect Kenyans from the gang, claiming that instead of neutralizing the threat, the police were complicit in its existence. He also raised concerns about ongoing abductions, accusing the government of turning a blind eye while families continue to suffer.
Gachagua’s statements underscore his continued opposition to the current government since being ousted from office in October 2024. His public criticism reflects his view that the country’s leadership lacks integrity and is responsible for exacerbating the nation’s crises, including the ongoing issue of abductions.
