Gachagua urges IG Kanja to address threats of election violence
By Mabonga Makhanu, November 12, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has written to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, urging him to intervene and address rising threats from individuals aligned with the government ahead of the Mbeere North by-election.
In a statement addressed to IG Kanja on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Gachagua called on the police chief to exercise his powers and take action against individuals who have been issuing threats ahead of the hotly contested by-election, where a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Leonard Muriuki, and a Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Newton Kariuki, are set to face off.
Gachagua highlighted widely circulated social media videos in which certain individuals, including Simon Njagi Njiru (alias Gikundo wa Gikundo), Josiah Kariuki Ngari (alias Mteezi Puff), and Susan Nyaga, were seen threatening violence against the people of Mbeere North and against himself during his campaign activities scheduled from November 16, 2025.
Despite the evidence in police custody, Gachagua noted that the individuals had not yet been arraigned and demanded that they be arrested, charged, and brought to court ahead of the by-election.
He further stated that those issuing threats are closely associated with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, the immediate former MP for Mbeere North, with Simon Njagi Njiru serving as Director of Communication for Governor Mbarire. Gachagua emphasised that the people of Mbeere North should be allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote for a candidate of their choice without coercion or intimidation.
GAchagua’s responsibility
Addressing IG Kanja directly, Gachagua reminded him of his civic duty and responsibility as a former senior citizen, saying that it’s his work to inform him whenever there appear to be drums of war.
He warned that the continued threats and acts of goonism under the IG’s watch represent a national security threat and could lead to personal accountability before the International Criminal Court (ICC), citing past precedents such as Major General Mohammed Ali following the 2007/08 post-election violence.
“Mr Kanja, as a senior citizen who has served this nation in different capacities, including as the 2nd Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, elected by 7.2 million Kenyans, and in the security sector, it is my civic duty to advise you that the drums of war being beaten in Mbeere North under your watch are a national security threat,” he said
Gachagua also recalled previous incidents of targeted attacks against him and his supporters, including harassment upon his return from the USA on August 21, 2025, and assassination attempts earlier in April 2025, noting that no credible action had been taken by the authorities.
His visit to Mbeere
He stated that he would be in Mbeere North from November 16 to 24, 2025, to campaign for the candidate of his choice and warned that the mobilisation of state-sponsored goons posed a direct threat to the electoral process.
Gachagua further indicated that if adequate security is not provided, the people of Mbeere North, who largely support him, are prepared to protect him and his entourage themselves.
“I have credible intelligence that the state-sponsored goons who have been harassing me and my supporters have been fully mobilised for Mbeere North ahead of my arrival,” Gachagua said.
The letter was copied to other security agencies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and others. Gachagua also called on IEBC Chairperson Erastus Edung Ethekon to take note of potential electoral malpractices and ensure the integrity of the by-election.