Gachagua's assassination claims echo historical parallels

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accompanied by wife Dorcas address media moments after he was discharged from Karen hospital. [Stafford Ondego, Standard]

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s allegations of assassination attempts and threats to his life have ignited unsettling comparisons to the tumultuous histories of his predecessors most recent being his boss President William Ruto.

Gachagua, often referred to as Riggy G, believes that his safety is compromised due to actions within the government—a sentiment that resonates with fears expressed by Ruto only 24 months ago when he made a claim about his children being targeted by the Uhuru administration.

Other vice presidents such as the late George Saitoti, came close to losing their lives following a poisoning incident at a members club.

Yesterday, while leaving Karen Hospital in Nairobi, Gachagua opened up about his ordeal, labeling Ruto “vicious.”

“I never knew my brother President William Ruto would turn against me, despite my unwavering support during the last elections and even being arrested for my association with him,” he stated, his voice thick with a tinge of bitterness.

He had been treated for chest pains at the hospital.

In a press conference, Gachagua recounted two alarming incidents he claims were assassination attempts: one in Kisumu, where he alleges his food was poisoned, and another in Nyeri while meeting with the Kikuyu Council of Elders.

“On August 30, while I was in Kisumu, there was an assassination attempt on me after my food was poisoned. Thankfully, we discovered it early enough,” he recounted. “If anything happens to me, I want the world to know who is behind it.”

This ordeal feels painfully familiar with the experiences of previous vice presidents. During his tenure under Uhuru Kenyatta, Ruto often voiced concerns about his safety amidst rising political tensions. He faced a similar battle for survival, urging Kenyatta to refrain from publicly discussing him, asserting that his life was endangered by political rivalries. “Mr. President, please stop talking about me. Talk about your candidate… leave William Ruto alone,” he pleaded.

In July 2022, Ruto remarked at a rally. “As long as you do not harm my children, we should respect each other.”

During a TV interview on April 16, 2022, Ruto promised that his deputy would never endure the same humiliation he faced under Kenyatta. He said he had been under attack from individuals close to Kenyatta while the Head of State himself failed to rein in these individuals, leaving him to suffer humiliation. 

"Given an opportunity, I would not allow my deputy president to be humiliated the way former deputy presidents have been,” Ruto remarked.

The late George Saitoti also faced significant threats during his tenure as Vice President under President Daniel Moi. In February 1990, he was poisoned just a day after the controversial death of Robert Ouko.

Saitoti publicly expressed his fears, stating, “If there is anybody who has been subjected to tribulations, it is I, Prof. Saitoti,” adding, “The political arena is a battleground where trust is scarce, and danger lurks behind every corner.”

Saitoti's career was marked by caution regarding threats to his life. However, in 2003, he voiced his frustrations during a rally, hinting at the dangers surrounding him.

Gachagua’s fears and frustrations resonate with the historical struggles of vice presidents in the country.

Following Robert Ouko’s tragic demise in February 1990, Saitoti was poisoned at a restaurant in Muthaiga, with his food laced with cyanide—a fact that emerged later.

During his time in the hospital, fearing further attacks, Saitoti converted a room in his Kitengela home into a makeshift ward.

He kept a trusted security team close for years, driven by fear of the unknown. Tragically, Saitoti’s life was cut short in a plane crash in 2012, raising more questions than answers about his untimely demise.

The mystery surrounding Saitoti’s death deepened with revelations from an inquiry into the helicopter crash that killed him and others.

Despite the government chemist’s report finding no signs of poisoning, forensic experts later testified that Saitoti had high levels of carbon monoxide in his system, casting doubt on the official findings. His tragic death after being appointed Interior Minister by President Mwai Kibaki left a haunting legacy, reminding the country of the perils that accompany high office.

Gachagua's sentiments suggest a deeper struggle against what he perceives as a political witch hunt aimed at discrediting him. “I refuse to be silenced or sidelined. I will fight for my place and my life,” he declared defiantly.

Gachagua’s fears and frustrations resonate with the historical struggles of vice presidents in the country.