The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has issued a sharp response to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissing his recent claims on the ongoing fuel scandal as false and warning of possible action.

In a statement released on Sunday, April 5, 2026, the DCI termed Gachagua’s remarks, made during an Easter service at AIPCA Gakoe Church in Gatundu North, as “false, unfounded and malicious,”, accusing him of attempting to undermine public confidence in a key law enforcement institution.

Gachagua had claimed that large sums of money were recovered from individuals linked to the suspected irregular procurement of fuel cargo and framed the scandal as a business rivalry within government ranks.

However, the DCI strongly rejected these assertions.

“The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has taken note of certain remarks made today by Hon. Rigathi Gachagua during the Easter Sunday service at AIPCA Gakoe Church in Gatundu North, Kiambu County,” the agency stated.

“The allegations levelled against the DCI in the course of Rigathi Gachagua’s speech are false, unfounded, and malicious. The claims he made concerning recoveries and exhibits in regard to the ongoing probe into the suspected irregular procurement of fuel cargo by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum lack any factual or evidentiary basis and are clearly intended to undermine public confidence in a key national law enforcement institution.”

The investigative body emphasised that all evidence and exhibits related to the case are being handled professionally, in line with the law and internal procedures.

Probe into Gachagua’s remarks

In a significant escalation, the DCI revealed that it is reviewing the full content of Gachagua’s speech, including portions delivered in the Gikuyu language, to determine whether any laws were broken.

Detectives are assessing whether the remarks could amount to offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, as well as provisions of the Penal Code relating to hate speech, ethnic contempt, or incitement.

“Furthermore, the DCI is actively reviewing the full utterances made by Hon. Rigathi Gachagua, particularly those delivered in the Gikuyu language. We are assessing whether any of these statements may constitute offences under the National Cohesion and Integration Act, or any other relevant provisions of the Penal Code, including those relating to hate speech, ethnic contempt and incitement. The DCI will not hesitate to take appropriate action where the law has been broken, irrespective of the status or position of any individual,” the statement warned.

The DCI reaffirmed its independence and commitment to carrying out investigations without political interference, insisting that it remains guided by the Constitution and the rule of law.

“No amount of political rhetoric or attacks will distract us from our constitutional mandate of investigating serious crimes and upholding justice for all Kenyans,” the agency stated.

Fuel Scandal probe

The controversy is linked to an ongoing investigation into the suspected irregular procurement of an emergency fuel cargo by the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

The DCI has already recorded statements from key individuals and is working with both local and international agencies to establish the facts surrounding the case.

Even as tensions rise, the agency urged Kenyans to remain calm and avoid divisive rhetoric, particularly during the Easter period.