Gachagua demands IG Kanja resignation over ‘planned’ attacks on his team
Former DP Rigathi Gachagua. Left is IG Douglas Kanja. Combo photo
Democracy for the Citizens Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua has demanded the resignation of Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.
He has accused the police leadership of failing to protect him and allegedly allowing officers and hired gangs to attack him and his supporters.
In strongly worded letters on Tuesday afternoon and copied to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), Mr Gachagua said the IG must step down if he cannot “restore order” within the National Police Service.
Mr Gachagua writes that the events in Narok on 24 November--where he claims uniformed officers and plain-clothes men confronted his entourage--marked the latest in what he describes as a coordinated pattern of intimidation.
“If you are not in full control of the Police Service, kindly do the honourable thing and resign,” he told Mr Kanja, adding that recent incidents amount to “state-enabled violence directed at me and my supporters.”
In the letters, Mr Gachagua lists a series of grievances, including what he calls unlawful withdrawal of his security detail, restricted access to public functions, and alleged surveillance of his family members.
He says these actions have exposed him to danger and undermined his ability to carry out his political duties.
He further claims that some officers have been deployed with the intention of disrupting his events, pointing to video clips shared widely on social media as evidence of “targeted hostility”.
Alongside his demand for Mr Kanja’s resignation, the DCP leader has asked for the immediate restoration of his full security, protection of his residences in several counties, and an independent inquiry into the Narok incident.
He also wants investigations into specific police and intelligence officers he accuses of collaborating with political actors to “instigate chaos”.
“These are not isolated acts. They point to a deliberate scheme to silence and endanger me,” Mr Gachagua claims.
He links his security concerns to the integrity of by-elections set for this Thursday.
He alleges that some IEBC officials in affected constituencies have acted with bias and calls for disciplinary action.
He warns that interference by security agencies or electoral officers could compromise the credibility of the polls.
“A service that cannot guarantee impartiality cannot preside over free and fair elections,” he writes.
