Immediate former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has denied claims that he and other Opposition leaders are planning to overthrow the government. 

Speaking during a press conference on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Gachagua said the “One Term” movement is not seeking to seize power unconstitutionally. 

“We want to advise you that the wantam movement is not getting you out of power outside the Constitution,” Gachagua said. 

“Mr President, nobody wants to overthrow your government, nobody wants you out of power through unconstitutional means.” 

Gachagua said the Opposition, which has made its position clear, only seeks to remove Ruto from State House through the ballot in 2027. 

He criticised Ruto for alleging (see opposite page) that there is a plot to overthrow his administration. 

Gachagua said the claim is an excuse to persecute Opposition leaders. 

“Nobody wants you out of government unconstitutionally. We want to face you on the ballot in August 2027, so just relax,” the former DP said. 

Further, Gachagua called on President Ruto to exercise restraint and address the root causes of the protests. 

Gachagua cautioned that anger will not resolve the discontent among Kenyans. 

“Mr Ruto, I want, with a lot of humility, to advise you to stop being angry. That will not help you,” Gachagua said. 

Earlier, during the launch of an affordable housing project in Kilimani, Nairobi, Ruto expressed bewilderment at the heightened aggression adopted by opposition leaders against his administration. 

He questioned why his government was facing more hostility compared to his predecessors, and lamented the disdain and arrogance directed at him. 

Gachagua claimed that the police officers seen on TV shooting during the Saba Saba protests was formed when he still served in government. 

According to him, the killer squad was dispatched during the recent Saba Saba protests to deal with dissenting voices.

He noted that the special team moved around in unmarked Subarus, shooting aimlessly at protesting Kenyans. 

He further claimed the elite unit was recruited from the Administration Police Unit for special training on abduction. 

“This special squad in Subarus are disguising themselves as DCI officers, yet they are not. I would like to clarify that NIS has procured Subarus to give the impression that the killer squad is from the DCI,” Gachagua alleged. 

“The truth of the matter is that this squad has nothing to do with DCI. This squad of 101 people was forced while I was still in government,” he added. 

Gachagua revealed that during the Saba Saba demonstrations, the special squad was mostly deployed in the Mt Kenya region and other regions not perceived to be friendly to the current regime. 

The former DP also accused President Ruto of allegedly hiring goons to destroy and loot people’s businesses, particularly in Central Kenya, where he claims goons were dispatched hours before the July 7 protests.