Rigathi Gachagua Decries State Harassment, Claims Unmarked Cars Are Trailing Him: "Leave Me Alone"

 

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua (pictured)

Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has lamented about supposed machinations the state is pursuing against him. Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua (pictured) claimed state operatives have been trailing him while onboard unmarked vehicles.  He sent a series of sensational tweets late Wednesday evening, November 20, claiming state operatives onboard unmarked cars were routinely trailing him around. Gachagua claimed that the unknown people had been behind him not only in Nairobi but also in his native home in Nyeri county.  They appraise every visitor who calls on him.

 "Security agents in unmarked cars have been following me wherever I go. They are parking at the entrance of my Nairobi residence, taking note of all my visitors, and they trail me whenever I leave the house, even to my rural home in Nyeri," the former deputy president said. Why Gachagua is worried Gachagua expressed concerns over his security, suggesting that those trailing him could be insidious people given the string of abductions and extrajudicial killings that have been reported in the recent past. He said he decided to share it with the public so as the state is held to account should any harm befall him.

 "In this era of extrajudicial killings, forced abductions and disappearances by state agents, I have thought it important to share with Kenyans the harassment and intimidation I am going through, and inform them to hold the state responsible if I am harmed by state agents," said Gachagua.  Appearing to harbour sour grapes after his ouster, Gachagua sent an indirect message to President William Ruto, asking to be left alone as he was unfairly removed from office. Gachagua seemed to wonder why the state was still pursuing him even after giving up his post; he asked to be left to live peacefully like any other civilian.

 "I request the state to leave me alone! You hounded me out of office, and you should now allow me to enjoy my peace as a private citizen," he said. He faulted the current regime for resorting to the olden tactics the late Daniel Moi's government used to handle the dissenters. Gachagua's lamentations came days after the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) refuted reports that its detectives were running after him. Reports from a section of the local media had indicated that Gachagua's visit to the PriestHood Fellowship Church in Kahawa West, Nairobi, on November 10, was preceded by drama at the residence of the church's resident cleric, Pastor JJ Gitahi. 

 What DCI said over Gachagua's attendance at Nairobi church The reports had indicated that detectives boarding unmarked vehicles drove to Gitahi's residence in Ruiru on Sunday morning to find out why he was hosting Gachagua in his church. The detectives held that hosting the former deputy president was posing a threat to the nation as he would use the pulpit to incite the public in light of his recent political tribulations. 

In its response, the country's top investigative body stated that its operations align with the law and that at no point did it contemplate infringing on the former deputy president's right to assembly and worship. Gachagua and his family lost the privileges accorded to eminent people in government following his impeachment on October 18. His security was significantly scaled down, and he also had to vacate the official residence of the country's second-in-command. 

by  Kai Eli