NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused state agencies of plotting to disrupt the upcoming Mbeere North by-election, warning that Kenya risks sliding into lawlessness if the government fails to act.
In a letter dated November 12, 2025, addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Gachagua cited what he described as credible intelligence of plans by “state-sponsored goons” to harass him and his supporters ahead of his scheduled campaign tour in Mbeere North between November 16 and 24.
Gachagua, who is also the DCP leader, accused the police of failing to act on threats of violence allegedly issued by individuals linked to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
“Despite the evidence and information in your custody, the above persons have not been arraigned. We demand that ahead of the by-elections, they be arrested, arraigned, and charged under the Penal Code,” he wrote.
The former Deputy President said video clips circulating on social media showed individuals making direct threats against him and his supporters, urging the police to ensure the safety of all voters.
He warned that the people of Mbeere North “must be allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote freely without intimidation.”
Accuses police of negligence
Gachagua accused IG Kanja of presiding over a breakdown of law and order, citing the government’s handling of the Saba Saba protests in July, where businesses were looted and demonstrators killed.
“You are the only Inspector General in Kenya to have presided over goonism and a total breakdown of the rule of law. No one feels safe in our cities or villages,” he said, adding that failure to act could make Kanja personally liable before the International Criminal Court (ICC).
He also referenced past reports of alleged assassination attempts against him and his allies, saying “criminal gangs under your watch terrorized me and my supporters” earlier this year.
Mr. Douglas Kanja, IG of the National Police, you must stop threats of election in Mbeere North.I will be there from 16th- 24th November 2025.
Warnings to IEBC and government
Gachagua claimed that his team had credible intelligence of government plans to disrupt the Mbeere North by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025, warning that the people of Kenya “shall not accept” electoral interference.
He copied the letter to the Director-General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI), National Police Service Commission, the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, and all media houses.
He urged the IEBC to disqualify the UDA candidate if evidence of electoral malpractice emerges, and warned state officers against “testing the patience of the people of Kenya.”
“Be advised that the people of Mbeere North have assured me that if you fail to provide adequate security to me and my entourage, they will do it themselves,” he added.
The by-election in Mbeere North follows a petition that nullified the 2022 election results.
