ODM MP Calls for Gachagua’s Arrest Over Threats to Kenya’s Stability

Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma of the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) has demanded the immediate arrest and prosecution of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of reckless attacks on Kenya’s sovereignty, international reputation, and stability.

Kaluma’s outrage stems from alleged remarks Gachagua made to foreigners, which the MP claims misrepresented the Kenyan state. “Gachagua is free 24 hours after lying against the State to foreigners! Some Kenyans play politics with very serious matters!” Kaluma declared on April 8, 2025, signaling his alarm over what he sees as a dangerous escalation in Gachagua’s rhetoric.

While acknowledging Gachagua’s right to criticize President William Ruto amid their public fallout, Kaluma drew a sharp line between personal grievances and actions that undermine the nation. “Gachagua can say all he wants about President Ruto, but he cannot attack the sovereignty, international reputation, and stability of the Republic of Kenya as he has been recklessly doing,” he stated.

The ODM MP urged Kenya’s governance and security institutions to act swiftly, stressing the need to weigh Gachagua’s constitutional freedoms against the public interest. “The relevant institutions must strike a quick balance between respecting Gachagua’s rights to speak his mind in his bitterness and the overriding need for a stable Kenya whose international standing is upheld by all citizens, regardless of their grievances,” Kaluma said.

He warned that inaction could set a dangerous precedent, blurring the distinction between individual leaders and the state. “All are equal before the law. Gachagua is not above it. The criminal justice system’s failure to act is creating a perilous precedent where people won’t differentiate between the President and the State,” he cautioned, concluding with a direct plea: “Arrest and prosecute citizen Gachagua for offences related to undermining the Republic.”

Kaluma’s remarks highlight rising political tensions in Kenya, particularly as Gachagua, impeached in October 2024, remains a vocal critic of the Ruto administration.

Gachagua’s Claims Against Ruto

Kaluma’s statement follows Gachagua’s televised interview on Monday, April 7, 2025, with a local station, where he leveled serious accusations against President Ruto. Among them, Gachagua claimed Ruto is not fully in control of his government, alleging that trusted aide Farouk Kibet and Head of Presidential Special Projects & Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi are effectively running the country.

Dismissing accusations of squabbling with junior officials, Gachagua insisted the individuals in question wield significant power. “He [Ruto] said I was fighting small men, but Farouk Kibet is not a small man. Farouk Kibet is the co-president. He runs the country. Everyone reports to him,” Gachagua asserted. He claimed Kibet relays Ruto’s directives to cabinet secretaries, who fear him, and even tried to control Gachagua’s office by managing his appointments and meetings.

Gachagua alleged he initially assumed this was Ruto’s preferred system until he discovered Kibet was extorting money from those seeking access to him. “I told Ruto his personal assistant cannot give me instructions. If he wants to direct me, he should do it himself, and I’ll follow to the letter—not his PA ordering me around. I warned him Kibet was exploiting his position to collect money for appointments, and I’d fail as his deputy if I didn’t advise him,” Gachagua recounted.

On corruption, Gachagua cited an incident in Naivasha where Ruto allegedly pressured Muturi to approve the purchase of 11,000 acres of Kedong Ranch for an industrial park using the Settlement Trustee Fund. “Muturi refused, saying the fund was for settling people, not commercial projects. Ruto called him indisciplined and asked me to warn him, but I supported Muturi,” Gachagua said.

Foreign Ties and Regional Politics

Gachagua also questioned Ruto’s foreign policy decisions, alleging that the President’s recognition of Kosovo as an independent state was driven by commercial interests, including a hotel in Mombasa co-owned with Kosovo’s president. He further claimed Ruto has business ties with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan and has met with M23 rebel officials engaged in conflict with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). “The international community should investigate these relationships,” he urged.