NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) Leader Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, accusing him of allowing the National Police Service to be used by political actors and turning a blind eye to rising incidents of political violence.
In a statement dated December 1, 2025, Gachagua claimed that under Kanja’s leadership, the police have “surrendered to politicians close to the President,” enabling what he described as state-sponsored goonism and widespread intimidation.
Gachagua said President William Ruto’s recent directive ordering the arrest of political goons amounted to little more than public relations, insisting that the real problem lies within the police command structure.
“You have surrendered this command to politicians… they command the police in civilian to aid goons,” Gachagua wrote, adding that officers allegedly transport criminal gangs in police vehicles, provide them with tactical cover, and supply intelligence.
The IG, National Police Service, Mr. Douglas Kanja, you are the weakest link in stopping political violence and goonism in Kenya.
The DCP leader accused the IG of becoming “the weakest link” in efforts to curb political violence, claiming that the police have allowed criminal gangs to operate unchecked across several counties.
Gachagua cited at least ten incidents between late 2024 and November 2025 where he claims police officers worked alongside or protected violent groups targeting him, his allies, or members of the public.
The incidents include alleged attacks at churches, political rallies, funerals, and public events in Kiambu, Nyandarua, Nyeri, Nairobi, Murang’a, Nakuru, and Narok counties.
Among the most recent cases, he referenced:
- The November 24 clash in Narok town allegedly involving militia, uniformed police, and the Rapid Deployment Unit.
- The November 27 chaos in Narok Township and in the Mbeere North by-election.
- A November 30 attack inside a PCEA church in Kariobangi North, where Gachagua claims police lobbed teargas at women and children.
He further alleged that an investigation file on the April 2025 Mwiki PCEA church attack has been blocked due to the involvement of an MCA “close to the President.”
Mr Githinji what is your obsession with attacking children in the church of Christ? In 2007/08 you burned kikuyu children and women in Kiambaa church.The other Day as Deputy President you tear-gassed innocent pupils along Langata Road when they were defending their land.
Gachagua directly accused the Officer Commanding Station (OCS) in Kariobangi North, Syad Hassan, of leading police officers who allegedly teargassed Sunday school children to create confusion that allowed armed gangs to storm a church service.
Questions Over Police Conduct and Haiti Mission
In one of the letter’s most controversial claims, Gachagua suggested that Kenya’s deployment to Haiti may have served as a “benchmarking mission” for using armed groups to “run a country” and orchestrate political and economic disruption.
He also called on Kanja to publicly disband what he describes as the “101 killer squad,” which he alleges has been abducting and killing Gen Z protesters — an accusation the government has consistently denied.
Gachagua insisted that Kenya’s security crisis would improve only if the Inspector General reasserts control and stops what he termed “state-sponsored militia activity.”
“If the police disengage from these groups, Kenyans will arrest the goons themselves and bring them to your stations,” he wrote.
