Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called out the government over the rise in the cases of abductions targeting critics.
Addressing a press conference at his Mathira home on Friday, December 27, 2024, Gachagua said that there has not been any regime that has abducted its children like that of President William Ruto.
The former second in command faulted the police for what he termed as being in denial for distancing themselves from the abductions yet there are witnesses, video evidence and several families grieving over their missing children.
“How can the police still be in denial when there are witnesses, video evidence and countless grieving families coming forward,” he said.
Gachagua on Ruto
He urged President Ruto to take full responsibility and address the abductions.
According to Gachagua, Ruto’s silence on the recent abductions is a clear indication that they are happening under his consent.
He went ahead to state that it is impossible to ignore the fact that the victims are only linked by the criticism against President Ruto and his administration.
“President William Ruto must take full responsibility and immediately address these outrageous violations. To remain silent or inactive is to suggest that these actions are being carried out with his knowledge and consent,” Gachagua said.
“It is impossible to ignore the fact that the only link between the victims is their criticism of the president and his administration,” he added.
Gachagua on NIS
Moreover, Gachagua took a swipe at the National Intelligence Service (NIS), stating that he had been initially victimized when he called it out for being incapacitated and posing a threat to national security.
He further claimed that the current abductions are being well coordinated by a security agency that is not under the command of the police, and even threatened to name the individuals behind the scheme.
“When I raised concerns about the dysfunctionality of the National Intelligence Service, I was accused of being insubordinate. However, the events of recent months have regrettably validated my position,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua on abductions
Gachagua argues that the government is trying to send a message to its critics through abductions.
“If you speak out against the government you will be picked up by the now famous Subaru Boys and disappeared. The purpose of this message is to intimidate the young men and women of our nation and discourage them from ever speaking out again the way they did when they were in disagreement with the Finance Bill, 2024.
“Unfortunately, this Government’s Strategy of trying to scare Kenyans into silence while they go ahead & lie, loot and destroy our nation cannot and will not hold,” Gachagua affirmed.
