“Like a Gentleman, Just Accept That You Lost the Trust and Support of Kenyans and Move On,” Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Hiring Goons on His Party Launch

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a scathing attack against President William Ruto yesterday, accusing him of repeatedly sending “goons” to attack him, his family, and supporters during the tumultuous launch of his new political party.

“Stop sending goons to attack me, my family, and supporters. We have rights and freedoms to enjoy like other Kenyans,” Gachagua declared during the chaotic unveiling of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in Lavington.

The event, meant to mark Gachagua’s new political chapter, descended into violence when a large group of unidentified individuals disrupted proceedings, triggering a security incident involving Gachagua’s security detail.

In his statement, Gachagua directly challenged President Ruto: “Like a gentleman, just accept that you lost the trust and support of the people and move on.”

The former deputy president outlined what he described as a systematic campaign of intimidation dating back to November last year, including:

– An attack on mourners at a funeral in Limuru allegedly carried out by “goons under police escort”
– An assault on his wife and Christian worshippers during a prayer meeting in Nyeri
– Police teargas deployment during a prayer meeting in Nyandarua County in December
– The forceful eviction of his children from an office they had leased for five years
– An attack inside a PCEA church in April, which Gachagua controversially compared to a 2007 incident

“Today, once again, you sent goons to attack me and members of the DCP at the party headquarters,” Gachagua stated, claiming police have been prevented from arresting those responsible in each incident.

Government Accused of Orchestrating Chaos

Malala and Gachagua during the The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) launch.

DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala reinforced these allegations during a May 15 interview, claiming the disruption was state-orchestrated.

“We notified the police of the launch because you can’t launch a political party in secrecy,” Malala explained. “That group was planned and sent by the government because the government is paranoid.”

Malala questioned how such a large disruption could occur without any police investigation: “How can an event be disrupted by such a large number of individuals, and to date, no police officer has come to the premises or even made a call to enquire what happened?”

According to Malala, the government’s objective was to either prevent the party’s launch entirely or tarnish it with violence.

“It was planned that this party should not be launched. The party must be stained with optics of chaos,” he asserted.

Despite the disruption, Gachagua officially established the DCP party, with Malala appointed as interim deputy party leader.

The formation of this new political entity marks a significant development in Kenya’s political landscape, representing a formal break between Gachagua and Ruto’s administration.