Belgut MP Nelson Koech has trashed claims by impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that his life is in danger.
Speaking to a local TV station on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Koech accused embattled Gachagua of seeking sympathy from the masses by claiming that his life was in danger.
“Why would there be an interest to harm him? In this country, our politics have been that of respecting each other even when we differ. He faces no threat to his life other than his illness and chest pains. He is seeking sympathy and I am happy the DCI summoned him to record a statement over the claims of assassination attempts,” Koech stated.
The MP also questioned why Gachagua never reported the assassination attempts he claims happened against him to the National Security Council.
“Why did he not raise it with the National Security Council? This is not a deputy president who can keep quiet if something was to happen to him. He would have been screaming. All those things are meant to earn him sympathy. No one has made an attempt (against his life) in my view,” he added.
According to Koech, Gachagua has been in a fight with the security agencies since he was elected alongside President William Ruto.
“Looking at his character and the condemnation he has had before on the National Intelligence Service (NIS) and even going further to attack the apex of NIS in the person of Noordin Haji tells you clearly that this is a person who has had a fight with our security agencies from Day One,” he said.
“He came out guns blazing, made serious scathing attacks on our security agencies, made serious attacks on the judiciary and has made serious attacks on anyone he thinks is his enemy.”
Gachagua summoned by DCI
This comes a day after Gachagua was summoned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over his assassination attempt claims.
“On October 20th, 2024, during a press conference, you publicly stated that there had been multiple assassination attempts on your life. You were quoted saying, “On August 30th, in Kisumu, undercover security agents entered my room, bugged it, and one of them tried to poison my food. We detected it and were able to escape the scheme. I was supposed to be killed by food poisoning.”
“You went further to state, “On September 3rd, another team from the National Intelligence Service came to Nyeri and tried to poison food that was meant for me and the Kikuyu council of elders.” These are serious allegations emanating from a person of your stature and cannot be taken lightly,” the letter reads in part.
“In light of the seriousness of this matter, we kindly request your presence on 22nd October 2024 at the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Headquarters, Mazingira Complex-Kiambu Road, to formally record your statement to enable prompt and thorough investigations into the matter,” DCI added.
Speaking on Sunday, October 20, 2024, after being discharged from Karen Hospital, Gachagua revealed that Ruto has been treating him with hostility adding that even when he was fighting for his life the president showed him no mercy.
Comparing his current situation with Ruto, with that of the late President Moi and Kenneth Matiba, Gachagua stated that history is repeating itself adding that Ruto wanted to push him to death the Moi did to Matiba.
“When I look at it probably, it is history repeating itself President Ruto wanted to take me the route President Moi took Kenneth Matiba, he pushed Matiba up to getting a stroke and eventually dying. And I look to what the president is doing to me especially now that I am in the hospital crippling me, treating me like an animal I think he wanted to take me the Matiba route,” Gachagua claimed.