Kenya’s political temperature has soared again—this time with a deeply personal and explosive accusation from National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah. Speaking publicly on Thursday, the Kikuyu MP alleged that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua directed a group of attackers to target his parents at their family home during the recent anti-government protests.
“My 105-year-old father and 85-year-old mother were the targets,” Ichung’wah said in a video aired by K24 TV. “Rigathi Gachagua was the one who directed goons to go and murder my parents in the name of revenge.”
The claim came in the wake of violent demonstrations across the country on Wednesday, led mostly by young Kenyans protesting proposed tax hikes and the high cost of living. In Kikuyu, where Ichung’wah’s business and family home are located, there were reports of destruction and unrest.
Ichung’wah believes the chaos was not entirely spontaneous.
According to the MP, the attackers were not from Kikuyu. “They were ferried from Dagoretti, Limuru, Kiambaa and Juja,” he told mourners during a funeral address, insisting the group was sent “to destroy property and attempt murder under the guise of protest.”
The claims have not yet been independently confirmed. At the time of writing, there is no public police report or official investigation pointing to Gachagua’s involvement. The former deputy president has also not issued a response to the fresh accusations.
However, Gachagua has previously dismissed similar claims from government officials as politically motivated. Speaking earlier this year after being linked to alleged abductions of protest organisers, he said: “These are cheap lies meant to fool the public. Kenyans are intelligent and can see through this nonsense.”
In the same week, Kenya has witnessed protests that turned deadly in parts of Nairobi, Kisumu, and Nakuru. Several human rights groups have expressed alarm over police brutality, and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has urged for restraint on all sides.
Meanwhile, political observers warn that the back-and-forth blame game between leaders may further inflame tensions at a time when public trust in institutions is already low.
“Kenya is on edge,” said political analyst Mercy Nduta. “When top leaders trade serious allegations like this without evidence, it creates confusion, fear, and even more anger among citizens.”
For now, Ichung’wah’s parents are reported to be safe. But the MP says he won’t let the matter rest.
“I’ll not be silenced,” he said. “This was not just an attack on my family. It was an attack on decency and our democracy.”
