Gachagua Reveals Why He Stayed Away From Ol Kalou as Intelligence Warning Sparks Fresh Violence Fears
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed he cancelled plans to stage his highly anticipated Kiririmbi Interview: The Ol Kalou Decision in Nyandarua County after receiving what he described as credible intelligence warning of a planned outbreak of violence ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Speaking during the interview on Sunday, July 12, Gachagua alleged that he had initially intended to hold the event at Ngorika in Ol Kalou before making a last-minute decision to abandon the venue and return to his Wamunyoro residence following security alerts.
According to the former Deputy President, the warnings came from individuals he claimed were serving within the National Police Service, who allegedly informed him that there were plans to disrupt activities in the region and provoke unrest.
“I had planned to hold the Kiririmbi Interview at Ngorika in Ol Kalou, but after receiving intelligence from people within the police service warning me about a planned violent operation, I decided to return home to Wamunyoro,” Gachagua said.
His remarks came just hours after violence erupted during the opposition’s Linda Mwananchi rally in nearby Nyahururu, where Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata’s driver was reportedly shot in chaotic scenes that disrupted the political gathering.
Gachagua suggested that the shooting reinforced the intelligence reports he had received earlier, arguing that the incident demonstrated the existence of a coordinated plan to trigger violence during political events in the region.
“What happened today only confirms the information I had been given. I could not knowingly expose innocent Kenyans to danger,” he added.
The former Deputy President did not publicly present evidence to support his claims, and the National Police Service had not immediately responded to the allegations at the time of publication.
The latest claims come as political temperatures continue to rise ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, with rival political camps intensifying campaigns across Nyandarua County.
The shooting in Nyahururu has added a new layer of tension to the campaign period, prompting renewed calls for authorities to guarantee security for political leaders, supporters and members of the public attending campaign events.
Investigations into the Nyahururu shooting are expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident and identify those responsible.
Also Read:Â CCTV Shows Armed Robber Assaulting Women Before Firing Gunshot in Ruaka