Gachagua’s Ally Arrested Days After Launching Heavy Criticism On President Ruto

Outspoken advocate Ndegwa Njiru, a prominent legal ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, was arrested on Wednesday night following a traffic incident along the busy Thika Superhighway.

Njiru confirmed the arrest through his social media handles, stating that police detained him and took him to Kasarani Police Station after his vehicle suffered a mechanical failure on the highway.

“I have been arrested by the Kasarani Police. I am at Kasarani Police Station. I am being accused of obstruction after my vehicle broke down on the Thika Highway. Police are yet to book me,” Njiru stated on Wednesday night.

While the advocate insists the arrest was purely due to the vehicular obstruction, authorities have not officially confirmed if they are investigating additional offenses. By the time of publication, the National Police Service had not released a formal statement regarding the specific circumstances of the detention.

Timing Sparks Political Speculation

The arrest comes at a time of heightened political tension for the lawyer. Barely 24 hours prior, Njiru launched a scathing public attack against President William Ruto, criticizing the Head of State’s pledge to pour over Sh10 billion into development projects in Ol Kalou ahead of the area’s upcoming by-election.

Njiru openly accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using state resources as “political tokenism,” urging voters to see through last-minute campaign promises tied strictly to election cycles.

A Consistent Government Critic

Njiru has solidified his position as one of the most vocal critics of the current administration. Beyond representing former Deputy President Gachagua in his high-profile impeachment defense cases, the lawyer has frequently been spotted alongside key opposition leaders—including Kalonzo Musyoka and Justin Muturi—during political strategy meetings and rallies.

He also recently made headlines by announcing plans to sue the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) over its new instant traffic fine system. Motorists raised alarms after discovering that mobile payment channels directed funds to individual names rather than official state accounts. While the NTSA defended the platform by clarifying that the names belonged to accredited banking agents, Njiru vowed to challenge the system’s legitimacy in the High Court.

At the time of writing, prominent figures within Gachagua’s circle and the wider opposition have yet to issue statements regarding the advocate’s sudden detention.