Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto ordered the National Intelligence Service (NIS) to secretly record a private meeting he held with the late Member of Parliament Johanna Ng’eno in Kisumu.

Gachagua described Ng’eno as his “great friend, political ally and confidant” who had supported him for years. He said Ngeno had called him before he left office, expressing concern that Ruto’s plans would destabilise the government.

“And I was in Kisumu, he came to see me, and once Ruto learned that he was coming to see me in Kisumu, he sent the National Intelligence Service to bug my room so that he could record the conversation between Johanna Ngeno and me,” he said.

“And we had a big discussion, and he told me what he was going through and the way he was being persecuted for fighting for the rights of the Kipisigis people. He told me that a plan had been hatched to remove me from office because I was also fighting for the interest of my community, which he was fighting for his community.”

Gachagua recounted that when Ng’eno travelled to Kisumu to meet him, Ruto allegedly deployed the NIS to bug the room and capture their conversation.

“The honourable Johanna Ngeno is my great friend, and he’s my political ally and a confidant, and he has been very close to me for a long time. In Kisumu, he called me before I was out of the office, and he told me what William Ruto is planning, and he was very disturbed. And he felt that by Ruto doing what he intended to do, he would destabilise his own government.”

During the meeting, Ng’eno detailed the persecution he faced while defending the rights of the Kipsigis community and disclosed plans to impeach Gachagua. Ng’eno reportedly opposed the move, fearing it would harm both his community and national governance.

According to Gachagua, the recording of their discussion was delivered to Ruto, and Ng’eno was subsequently summoned and “thoroughly intimidated”.

Impeachment threats and intimidation

Gachagua further claimed that during the impeachment process, Ngeno showed him threatening messages from Ruto, some sent from the United States, warning of dire consequences if he failed to support the motion.

Gachagua said he advised Ngeno to sign the impeachment to protect himself and his family.

“The die is cast. ‘Ruto has the numbers… just go ahead and sign,” he said. He added that Nyali MP Muhammad Ali faced similar intimidation during the same period.

After the impeachment, Gachagua said Ng’eno remained under pressure from Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, who sought to block his ambitions within the Kipsigis community.

The two leaders spoke recently, and Ng’eno encouraged Gachagua to visit Bomet, where he received a warm reception. Ngeno later called to thank him for highlighting the community’s challenges.

Calls for investigation

Following Ngeno’s death in a helicopter crash, Gachagua called for thorough investigations, urging President Ruto to have Murkomen step aside to allow transparent probes. Alternatively, he suggested independent investigations by Scotland Yard or the FBI.

He extended condolences to Ngeno’s family, the people of Murindikwa, the Kipsigis community, and Parliament, describing the late MP as “a great leader… a political soulmate” whose vision and values had left a lasting impact.