Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of orchestrating violence through the use of criminal gangs, as political tensions rise ahead of planned engagements in the Kikuyu constituency.

In a statement shared on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the use of goons has become a deliberate strategy in the current political environment, pointing to what he described as a worrying trend captured even in mainstream media coverage.

“As well captured by the two leading dailies, goonism has become the operational module for William Ruto’s administration,” the statement reads.

He went further to accuse the government of relying on these groups to maintain political control, alleging that dissenting voices and ordinary citizens are increasingly being targeted through intimidation and violence. He described the situation as one where criminal elements are now operating alongside official security structures.

“Cornered and loathed by Kenyans for mismanaging the country and making corruption the way of life, William Ruto has sought the services of goons to keep him in power and deal with leaders and Kenyans opposed to his leadership, who had messed the country in a record three years. Goons are now part of the National Police service and work alongside the police in causing chaos and unleashing violence against innocent Kenyans,” the statement reads.

Gachagua also linked the current situation to Kenya’s recent international security engagements, claiming that lessons from abroad may have influenced how security operations are being conducted locally.

“It is now apparent that the mission to Haiti had nothing to do with helping the country suppress criminal gangs but was a benchmarking expedition for our police to learn how to work with criminal gangs to run politics. Indeed, since then, criminal gangs have become very active – acting with impunity and no longer hiding that they work alongside the police,” the statement reads.

He further claimed that there is internal knowledge within the police service about what he said is a collaboration between officers and criminal groups, claiming that such operations are being directed from senior levels within government structures.

“Police have confirmed to us in confidence that goons are deployed to work alongside the police on orders of CS Murkomen and PS Raymond Omollo,” the statement.

Turning to events on the ground, Gachagua described early Saturday, April 11, 2026, morning chaos in Kikuyu, where he said gangs blocked roads, attacked motorists, and caused widespread disruption before residents intervened to restore calm. He painted a picture of a community forced to defend itself in the absence of police presence.

“At 5:00 am this morning, goons from Kibra blocked all roads leading to Kikuyu with rocks, lit fires and deflated tyres of semi-trailers while robbing and beating motorists. To confuse the victims that they were not sent by the government, they were shouting WANTAM, a slogan identified with the opposition. For two hours they terrorised motorists, and the police were nowhere to be seen. It was ordinary citizens who quickly organised themselves, fought the goons, put out the fires and restored order on our roads, and traffic flow resumed,” he stated.

He added that police officers only arrived later, after residents had already handled the situation, raising concerns about delayed response and public safety.

“The Police only came at 9.30 am, pretending to act after citizens drove the goons out and restored order and normalcy,” the statement reads.

Gachagua said the situation has forced residents to take up the role of protecting their businesses and communities, accusing authorities of abandoning their responsibility to safeguard citizens.

“Ordinary Kenyans have taken over police duties and are currently guarding Business premises in Kikuyu town and making sure goons are not allowed in the town to loot property and cause mayhem. It is a shame that the police, at the behest of a politician and a rogue administration, have abdicated their duties, forcing citizens to step in,” the statement reads.

He concluded by appealing to Douglas Kanja to ensure law enforcement officers remain neutral and do not interfere with his planned meeting, urging supporters to turn up peacefully.

“I once more appeal to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja, not to allow the police in Kikuyu to be used by the said politician to join goons in disrupting our meeting. We are peaceful people who have held countless peaceful meetings elsewhere, including Kabete and Kikuyu constituency, which is not an exception,” the statement reads

“I appeal to all our supporters to attend our peaceful meeting this afternoon as the town has been secured and all is well,” he concluded.