Former Kenyan deputy president alleges assassination attempt, blames police

Kenya’s former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, said on Sunday that he survived an alleged assassination attempt during a church service in the central town of Othaya, accusing police of involvement in the incident.

In a statement posted on X, Gachagua said his security team helped evacuate him after what he described as a failed attempt on his life inside the church. He said he later arrived safely at his residence in Wamunyoro.

“I thank God for His mercy and kindness,” Getachew wrote. He added that his vehicles had been disabled during the incident and urged his supporters who had gathered in Othaya town and the nearby area of Kiawara to disperse peacefully.

Getachew alleged that a “killer squad backed by the local police” had been deployed in the area following the incident. He accused President William Ruto of bearing responsibility for what he described as a “heinous act.”

The Law Society of Kenya (LSK) condemned what it described as the use of teargas by police officers against congregants during the church service, calling the incident a violation of constitutional rights.

“The indiscriminate use of violent force against church-going citizens, including children, offends every constitutional principle under which the National Police Service is bound to operate,” the LSK said in a statement.

The lawyers’ body said there was no apparent threat posed by congregants to justify the use of force and warned that such incidents risk undermining national cohesion as the country moves closer to another election cycle. The LSK called on the National Police Service to “issue an immediate, clear explanation” of events in Othaya and said it was coordinating with lawyers on the ground to assess potential legal violations and provide support to affected members of the public.

Kenya’s National Police said it had launched an investigation. In a separate statement, Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, condemned the violence, warning that attacks on places of worship posed a threat to Kenya’s democratic foundations. “Violence, whether organised by political opponents, by self for sympathy, or by whoever for whatever purpose, is a criminal act that undermines our democracy and violates the freedom of assembly and of worship guaranteed by law,” the deputy president said. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen condemned the violence, saying “violence anywhere, and least of all in a place of worship, is unacceptable.”

Getachew was a key ally of President Ruto in the run-up to the 2022 general election. The pair built a powerful campaign alliance that appealed to many voters, particularly those who felt marginalised by the political establishment, helping propel Ruto to power.

However, their relationship deteriorated after the election amid disputes over governance, power-sharing, and policy direction. The tensions eventually led to Getachew’s impeachment, a move that fractured the ruling coalition and marked a turning point in Kenyan politics.

Since his removal from office, Getachew has emerged as one of Ruto’s most vocal critics, repeatedly accusing the president of undermining democratic institutions and reneging on campaign promises. He has positioned himself as a defender of public interests against what he describes as authoritarian tendencies within the current administration.

At times, his accusations have been highly controversial. He has alleged that Ruto engaged in secret dealings with the Islamist militant Jihadi and Al-Qaida affiliated group Al-Shabaab — claims the government has strongly denied. He has also previously said there have been attempts on his life, framing them as politically motivated efforts to silence him. These allegations remain unverified.

Kenya has faced sustained criticism from human rights groups over alleged excessive use of force by police during political and public gatherings, as well as reports of abductions and extrajudicial killings, which authorities deny. Getachew’s latest claims come as political tensions rise ahead of the 2027 general election.