Gachagua Claims State ‘Killer Squad’ Redeployed To Complete Failed Assassination

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has leveled explosive new allegations against the government, claiming a specialized police unit has been dispatched to Nyeri County to finish a failed assassination plot against him.

In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, June 24, 2026, the DCP party leader alleged that a rogue unit operating under the code name ‘Nairobi Sierra’ had gathered in Mathira ahead of planned nationwide demonstrations. He claimed the group’s mission is to orchestrate violence and target him directly.

The Origins: The ACK Witima Church Incident

Gachagua’s latest claims link back to a chaotic incident in January 2026 at the ACK Witima Church in Othaya. During that church service, teargas was lobbed into the sanctuary, causing mass panic among worshippers.

At the time, Gachagua insisted it was a state-sponsored hit involving a 12-man squad. In his latest address, he stated that the squad has since grown to 15 members and remains active.

“Since I was targeted for assassination then by this killer squad in church, I am apprehensive; probably Mr. Kipchumba Murkomen and DIG Lagat have instructed them to proceed to Wamunyoro and complete the job they failed to do in January.” — Rigathi Gachagua

Key Allegations in the Fresh Statement:

• Promotions Over Prosecution: Gachagua claims that instead of being investigated for the January church attack, the identified officers were promoted and reassigned to target political dissidents opposing President William Ruto.

• Imminent Threat in Karatina: He alleged the squad convened in Mathira to coordinate attacks on local businesses in Karatina, creating a chaotic environment that would allow security forces to deploy under the guise of restoring order.

A History of Assassination Claims

This is not the first time the former Mathira MP has claimed his life is in danger. His political trajectory has been marked by several high-profile security allegations:

• October 2024: Gachagua claimed there were multiple attempts on his life, including an alleged food poisoning plot during a visit to Kisumu. This prompted the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) to summon him for a formal statement.

• January 2026: Following the Othaya church chaos, he held a press conference demanding the immediate prosecution of the involved officers, threatening nationwide protests if the state failed to act.

Government officials and security agencies have consistently dismissed Gachagua’s assertions, maintaining that such serious allegations must be backed by verifiable evidence and handled through independent investigative channels rather than political rallies.