Gachagua: Prado donated to me in Meru was stoned in Ol Kalou
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 27, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the Toyota Prado donated to him in Meru earlier this month was hit with stones during the Ol Kalou by-election campaign.
Speaking during a night interview with Meru-based media stations on Sunday, July 26, 2026, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the vehicle was not his personal car but a community-funded campaign vehicle that was bought after four of his vehicles were damaged following his exit from government.
Gachagua used the interview to explain how he received the Prado, dismissing suggestions that it was a gift from a few wealthy individuals.
“Since I left government, four of my vehicles were damaged. Five days later, members of the community brought me about six vehicles,” Gachagua said.
He added that he no longer earns a government salary and depends on supporters who believe in his political activities.
“People who support the work I am doing said I have no job and no salary, yet I am working to defend the interests of the community. The community decided to help me because they saw the work was demanding.”
The remarks come weeks after Meru lawyer and businessman Mugambi Imanyara led a fundraising drive that culminated in the handover of a brand-new Toyota Prado during a ceremony at his home in Ithimbari, Meru County.
At the time, Imanyara said the vehicle had been bought by members of the Meru community to support Gachagua’s movement across the country following attacks on his convoy during previous political events.
During Sunday’s interview, one of the journalists asked Gachagua whether Imanyara had led the initiative to mobilise the community.
Gachagua confirmed that Imanyara coordinated the effort after being approached by members of the community who knew they were close associates.
“Yes, he led them. He is a good leader. They approached him because many of my relatives live around his area and they know he is my friend. They told him to find me so they could buy the vehicle and hand it over to me.”
The former deputy president said the Prado immediately became part of his campaign fleet and has already been deployed in political activities.
According to Gachagua, the vehicle was among those used during the Ol Kalou by-election campaigns, where it was allegedly attacked.
“That vehicle was in Ol Kalou. It was even hit with stones. It is not my personal vehicle that I move around in every day. It is a vehicle for the work of the community,” he said.
Prado gift followed attacks
When the Prado was handed over on July 4, Imanyara said the donation was partly motivated by the destruction of Gachagua’s vehicles during earlier incidents.
He said those behind the donation wanted to ensure that attacks on Gachagua’s convoy would not disrupt his political activities.
Since his impeachment and exit from government, Gachagua has intensified political engagements across the country under the DCP banner. He has held meetings in the Mt Kenya region, Western Kenya, the Rift Valley, Eastern, the Coast and Nairobi as he works to build an opposition alliance ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Ol Kalou by-election formed part of those campaigns, with Gachagua actively backing the DCP candidate, who won. During the campaign period, he repeatedly alleged that his supporters faced intimidation and attacks, claims that the government has consistently denied.
Gachagua made the remarks during the same interview in which he defended his controversial call for tourists to postpone visits to Kenya. Citing the 1988 murder of British wildlife photographer Julie Ward in the Maasai Mara, he argued that a major security incident involving foreign visitors could damage Kenya’s tourism industry for years, just as Ward’s killing did.