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State denies plot to assassinate Gachagua
President William Ruto and ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua .
The government has denied claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that there is a State-sanctioned killer squad sent to assassinate him.
Mr Gachagua had claimed on Sunday a covert elite police unit that included officers from the National Police Service (NPS), National Intelligence Service (NIS) and Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) was dispatched to his homes in Wamunyoro and Nairobi with a mission to harm him.
He claimed he got wind of the ambush by the squad of 101 officers that also included officers from the General Service Unit and regular police from some within its ranks who disapproved of the mission and eluded its dragnet as he came from a meeting in Gatanga, Muranga.
"While attending a church service in Gatanga yesterday, I received intelligence reports that...a killer squad of 101, from the National Police Service (NPS) seconded from NIS, and accompanied by DCI and regular police, were deployed," he told a press briefing in Nairobi.
Mr Gachagua, who is also the Democracy for the Citizens Party leader, alleged the squad was also armed with biological weapons to poison him with chemicals that would have ended his life "within three months".
"They wanted to plant weapons and chemicals...to paralyse me the way they did to (opposition leader Kenneth) Matiba,” he claimed.
He said that the squad, which was mobilised by the state was armed to the teeth and hooded.
“This is despite the existing guidelines that officers should be in uniform,” he said. He also noted that he is yet to be officially summoned by the State over any matter.
Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura.
However, Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura dismissed Mr Gachagua’s utterances, terming them “outrageous and laughable at most” before adding that the State is keen on maintaining law and order.
“Leaders are advised to desist from inciting the public in order to gain political mileage. We are living in the era of misinformation and disinformation. Kenyans are advised to take such utterances very cautiously,” he said.
NPS Spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga also said police had no operation at Gachagua homes as alleged.
"We have no information on any such police operation," he said.
The former deputy president, who has sustained criticism of President Ruto and his administration since he was impeached and removed from office last October, accused the State of resorting to terror to crush critics. He insisted the opposition will not be intimidated to stop the “one-term” campaign, alluding to the crusade to defeat President Ruto in 2027 elections.