KIRINYAGA, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a firestorm of controversy after accusing President William Ruto of creating a secret police unit tasked with illegal killings.
Speaking during a church service in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua alleged that a special squad of 101 elite officers was formed under direct instructions from the President and seconded to the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
“This issue of Albert Ojwang’s death is just the tip of the iceberg,” Gachagua said in front of a packed congregation. “Hundreds of young Kenyans have been abducted, tortured and killed by a secret unit trained for this purpose. And all of it has been carefully covered up.”
He directly pointed a finger at President Ruto.
“William Ruto cannot run away from these deaths. He is responsible, and Kenyans will punish him for that,” he stated. “The international community must intervene.”
Gachagua’s explosive remarks follow growing public outrage over the death of Albert Ojwang’, a civilian who died under suspicious circumstances while in police custody.
According to sworn testimony from DCI Director Amin Mohamed, Ojwang’ was discovered unconscious in his cell shortly after 1:30 a.m. on June 8. He was allegedly rushed to Mbagathi Hospital, arriving just before 2:00 a.m., where doctors later pronounced him dead.
But CCTV footage from the hospital tells a different story.
The video shows a police car arriving at the compound at 1:35 a.m., but medics did not attend to Ojwang’ for nearly 24 minutes. By the time he was finally wheeled into the facility, doctors reported he was already dead with a cold body, a swollen face, and a deep cut at the back of his head.
An internal hospital report stated Ojwang’ had likely died well before arrival.
The case has raised serious questions over conflicting police timelines and possible foul play. Calls for accountability have mounted.
Activists and members of the public have taken to the streets demanding the arrest of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, who had previously filed a defamation complaint against Ojwang’. That complaint led to his arrest.
Gachagua has now urged the Director of Public Prosecutions to take immediate action against Lagat, accusing the senior police official of overseeing or concealing the alleged killing.
As of now, State House has not issued any formal response to Gachagua’s allegations. Police officials have also remained tight-lipped.
Critics of the former Deputy President accuse him of stirring political tensions. Some have questioned the timing of his remarks, noting his growing public rift with President Ruto since he was dropped from government circles earlier this year.
Still, the allegations are serious and are now attracting scrutiny from human rights groups, legal experts and international observers.
“This isn’t just about one man’s death,” said Jane Khamati, a Nairobi-based human rights lawyer. “It’s about a pattern of abuse and the system that allows it.”
