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Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni has called out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what he terms using abductions for his own political benefit.

In a statement on Thursday, January 2, 2025, Kioni indicated that Gachagua’s decision to threaten to name individuals in the abduction racket was irresponsible when he failed to follow through with actions.

“Rigathi Gachagua must stop trivializing the grave issue of abductions in the country. His statements about revealing those involved, without following through with actionable disclosures, are both irresponsible and a slap in the face to the families suffering from these tragedies,” Kioni noted.

The Jubilee party official equally lamented Gachagua’s claims on the recent spate of abductions in the country, stating that lives were at stake and that the former deputy president should handle the matter with seriousness.

“This is not a game, nor a platform for empty rhetoric. Either he provides the nation with concrete information or refrains from making misleading statements. The nation deserves decisive leadership, not theatrics,” Kioni observed.

Lives at stake

“Lives are at stake, and this matter demands the utmost seriousness. Playing politics with such a sensitive issue is unacceptable and a betrayal of public trust.”

On December 27, 2024, Gachagua revealed that the abductions were conducted under the instruction and coordination of a parallel group independent of the police.

He equally said that President William Ruto must take responsibility for the abductions since they were happening under his watch despite security agencies denying involvement in them.

“President William Ruto must take full responsibility and immediately address these outrageous violations. To remain silent or inactive is to suggest that these actions are being carried out with his knowledge and consent,” Gachagua said.

Govt critics

“It is impossible to ignore the fact that the only link between the victims is their criticism of the president and his administration,” he added.

Gachagua maintained that the government was trying to send a message to its critics through abductions.

“Unfortunately, this Government’s Strategy of trying to scare Kenyans into silence while they go ahead & lie, loot and destroy our nation cannot and will not hold,” he stated.

Following the recent spike in the cases of abduction, a protest against the vice led to the arrest of several demonstrators before their release by a Milimani Court principal magistrate.