Former Deputy President Gachagua Alleges Secret Unit Behind Abductions
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused a secret unit of orchestrating recent abductions in Kenya, sharing details of what he claims are the masterminds behind the controversial operations.
Speaking during a press briefing on Friday, December 27, Gachagua alleged that the secretive unit operates independently of the Inspector General (IG) of Police and conducts unlawful activities.
According to Gachagua, the unit is headquartered on the 21st floor of a building in Nairobi’s Central Business District and is led by an individual he identified as Mr. Abel, a cousin of a senior Kenya Kwanza government official.
“There is a unit that is not under the command of the IG of Police. It operates from the 21st floor of a building in the city center, led by a certain Mr. Abel, who is a cousin to a very senior official in this government,” Gachagua claimed.
Gachagua’s Ultimatum
Gachagua issued an ultimatum, demanding the disbandment of the alleged unit, warning that failure to do so would prompt him to publicly reveal the name of the building, the official involved, and other details.
“If this unit is not dismantled, we will disclose the building’s name and the identities of the officer and his cousin. Your guess is as good as mine as to who is the commander of that unit,” he stated.
He also criticized President William Ruto’s silence on the matter, claiming that many victims of the abductions were individuals who had openly criticized the government.
President Ruto Responds
Under mounting pressure, President William Ruto addressed the issue during an event in Homa Bay County on Friday, December 27, though details of his response remain sparse.
Proposed Solutions and Criticism
Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024, proposed addressing the root causes of discontent among Kenyans instead of resorting to abductions.
“Abducting young people is not a solution. You must address the cause of discontent. Why are people aggrieved with this administration? Killing our children will not quell the anger of Kenyans,” he stated.
He further urged Ruto to interrogate why his administration had lost public support within two years.
Police Response
Inspector General Douglas Kanja distanced the National Police Service (NPS) from the reported abductions. He called for transparency as public pressure mounted on the government to expose those responsible for the alarming trend.
