Levi Wanderi, who was a former bodyguard to the second Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, has come out to state that it was difficult for the ex-second-in-command to take advice.

While speaking during an interview on a local podcast aired on Sunday, December 21, 2025, he stated that during the four months he worked for the former DP, Gachagua was, according to him, a hard person to advise and always wanted things to go his way.

“It was hard advising Gachagua; he would always want things to go his way,” Wanderi says.

Wanderi further stated that this was one of the reasons that made him quit the security team a few months before Gachagua embarked on the Democracy for Citizens (DCP) continental tour.

He went on to state that it was difficult dealing with such a person because, according to him, as a bodyguard, if the boss does not take advice and insists on things going his way, in case of any lapse in security or if anything happens to him, all the blame goes to the personal protector.

He further stated that a bodyguard’s advice should be keenly taken by their bosses and that if a bodyguard has any worries, he should feel free to explain them. Once bosses downplay their protectors’ advice, it becomes difficult for them to work together.

He also added that in such situations, the boss’s word should not always be final, noting that security lapses involving VIPs in most instances happen when dealing with hard bosses.

Tribalism issues

Wanderi went on to state that the former second in command was also surrounded by people who did not understand the industry, with a lot of mistrust and tribalism setting in.

According to him, Gachagua preferred to work with people from his own tribe and those closer to him as part of his security team, a situation he said cuts across the board, noting that most VIPs prefer to be protected by their kinsmen.

“There were a lot of issues; he was also surrounded by a lot of people who never understood the industry. I am also sorry to say this tribalism in Kenya has a long way to go. Someone says, ‘This guy doesn’t speak my mother tongue; I can’t trust him,’ and that is why most VIPs prefer people who are from their own tribes or closer to where they live.”

He also provided a glimpse into how he successfully managed to evacuate his former boss from several attacks during rallies, citing an incident in Shamata, Nyandarua, where a teargas canister was fired at him, disrupting the meeting.

He added that the atmosphere in the area felt dangerous, forcing them to remain highly alert.