In a fiery press address from Karen, Nairobi, former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua accused President William Ruto’s administration of forming a “killer squad” to silence dissent and sow ethnic divisions across Kenya.
Mr Gachagua painted a bleak picture of state brutality, alleging that a shadowy, state-sponsored militia backed by rogue elements within the police and intelligence service was deployed to unleash violence on peaceful protesters, particularly during the Saba Saba demonstrations on July 7th.
“They came masked and hooded, armed with assault rifles, driving unmarked Subarus,” Gachagua said. “Their mission was clear shoot, kill, destroy and blame it on the Kikuyu community.”
He claimed the killings were coordinated in Nairobi, Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, Meru, Embu and other counties deemed unfriendly to the regime.
Ethnic Profiling and Economic Sabotage
According to Gachagua, the crackdown has disproportionately targeted the Kikuyu community, whose businesses were attacked while police allegedly stood by or aided the perpetrators. Supermarkets, hotels, petrol stations, and even dairy processing plants in Mt. Kenya counties were named as targets.
“This is nothing short of economic sabotage,” he said. “The same people who voted for Ruto in 2022 are now being profiled and punished.”
He also accused Transport Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of inflaming tensions with his recent “shoot-to-kill” remarks and blamed government-allied Members of Parliament for inciting violence, citing one MP who allegedly predicted an attack on Maguna Supermarket before it happened.
Killer Squad Claims and NIS Involvement
Gachagua claimed the hit squad was secretly trained by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) while he was still in government.
“These aren’t ordinary DCI officers. This is a special unit trained to abduct, kill, and cover up,” he said, adding that its chain of command reported directly to top state officials.
He cited video evidence that purportedly shows police officers ferrying armed gangs and standing idle during assaults.
The former deputy president likened the crackdown to the post-coup repression of the 1980s, calling it “a return to the dark days of Daniel arap Moi.”
Appeal to Youth and Call for Ballot Action
Calling on young Kenyans particularly the Gen Z protestors who have led recent demonstrations, Gachagua urged them to register as voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
“Stop going to the streets where you are slaughtered like chickens,” he said. “We want to defeat Ruto through the ballot, not bullets.”
He was quick to clarify that his coalition was not seeking an unconstitutional removal of the president. “Nobody wants a coup,” he stated. “We want you out legally at the ballot box.”
Government Response Still Pending
The government had not formally responded to Gachagua’s explosive allegations. However, the Interior Ministry has previously denied claims of extrajudicial killings, attributing protest-related violence to rogue elements and criminal gangs.
Critics have warned that it could inflame ethnic tensions in an already polarized country.
During the recent Saba Saba nationwide demonstrations that turned deadly when police fired live rounds and tear gas, claims suggested that criminal groups operated alongside officers.
Human rights organisations have called for an independent inquiry into recent killings during protests. KHRC reported a death toll of 31 and over 500 injuries. The death of a 12-year-old Bridget Wainaina who was struck by a stray bullet inside her home in Kiambu during Saba Saba protests caused national outrage.
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