Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised alarm over what he claims is harassment and surveillance by security agents. On Wednesday night, Gachagua publicly accused state agents of trailing him in unmarked cars, expressing concerns for his safety. In a statement shared on social media, he warned that if anything were to happen to him, the state should be held responsible.
Gachagua, who has been a prominent figure in Kenya’s political landscape, especially during his tenure as Deputy President, has been increasingly vocal about his post-office challenges. He noted that despite no longer holding office, he continues to be followed by security agents, even while going about his private life. According to him, these agents park their vehicles at the entrance of his Nairobi residence, monitoring his visitors and following him whenever he leaves home, even making the long journey to his rural home in Nyeri.
The claims are not entirely new. Gachagua’s fears for his safety were amplified last week when, during a church event at Priesthood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, police reportedly tried to stop him from attending. This led to further concerns that state agents may be interfering with his personal freedoms, raising alarm about the state’s role in suppressing opposition voices.
Sharing a disturbing encounter on social media, Gachagua posted a photograph of one of the cars he claims had been following him. He detailed how, on one occasion, a saloon car had been parked outside his house and trailed him all the way to PCEA Kerarapon Church, and even followed him for lunch and back home. Upon further investigation through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) portal, Gachagua discovered that the number plates on the vehicle were registered to a lorry, suggesting the use of false or stolen identification.
This accusation of surveillance and intimidation by state agents echoes fears many Kenyans have had in recent years regarding the re-emergence of such tactics. Gachagua pointed out that this form of surveillance was reminiscent of the notorious “Special Branch,” a security unit infamous for its role in suppressing opposition during Kenya’s post-independence era. With the country’s recent history of political tensions and allegations of extrajudicial killings, abductions, and disappearances, Gachagua’s concerns are being taken seriously by some quarters of the public.
The timing of Gachagua’s statements is significant. His claims come just days after the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) denied reports of police interference in his attendance at the church service. In response to claims that detectives had tried to block his attendance using an unmarked vehicle, DCI boss Mohamed Amin clarified that the allegations were untrue. He assured the public that the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) operates strictly within the law and does not engage in actions that infringe on individuals’ rights or the workings of other institutions. However, the former Deputy President’s continued allegations of surveillance have placed the DCI under scrutiny, with many questioning the extent of the state’s involvement in monitoring political figures.
In response to the threats to his safety, Gachagua has been allocated four security officers to provide protection, following his repeated complaints of feeling endangered. His request for peace and privacy as a private citizen appears to be falling on deaf ears, as his calls for the state to stop harassing him have been met with little response.
In the face of these ongoing concerns, Kenyans are left wondering whether Gachagua’s claims are part of a larger issue of political harassment, or if they reflect a growing unease about the state’s tactics of managing opposition figures. The silence from key police and security officials, such as Police Spokesperson Resila Onyango and Nairobi Police Boss Adamson Bungei, further fuels doubts about the transparency of security operations in Kenya.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will address Gachagua’s allegations and whether the public will continue to demand greater accountability from the state in ensuring the safety and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation.
