Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua went into hiding on Sunday evening after learning he was a wanted man.
He evaded a police dragnet in Muranga and drove to his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri as police pursued him.
Police said they wanted to arrest him for questioning. The drama ran into the night on May 18 amid reports more officers had been mobilized to look for him.
Police had laid an ambush on major roads in Muranga as Gachagua and his team snaked from a public event in the area. On learning of the plans to arrest them, some of the leaders escaped using bodabodas that carried avocados in the area.
Under cover police later laid a siege on his Nyeri and Nairobi homes saying they were looking for him.
He is under probe for claims of incitement.
One of his lawyers Ndegwa Njiru said police had laid a siege on the homes.
“To all media houses kindly be informed that the DCI has taken hostage of all HE Rigathi Gachagua’s both at Karen and at Wamunyoro. They are currently man hunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reasons,” he said.
Heavily armed and masked police officers had earlier taken position at Jogoo Kimakia near Blue Post, Thika, reportedly aiming to arrest former Gachagua. But he evaded the arrest amid claims he had taken refuge in a bush in his home.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka condemned the developments terming them intimidation.
“This intimidation of the Opposition must stop. Mr Ruto, if you want to arrest Deputy President @rigathi, do it the right way; follow the law. We are prepared to produce DP Gachagua before the @DCI_Kenya. Please stop abducting Kenyans and their leaders. Abductions are primitive and cowardly.”
Gachagua has been hard hitting with his statements directed at the government.
Sources said there are plans to arrest and question Gachagua and his security guards over recent fracas that happened when he was launching his political party DCP.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen had earlier on warned they will take action on political leaders seen to be inciting Kenyans.
“We will put you in jail, and there’s nothing you’ll do about it,” he said.
Speaking in Nandi County during the thanksgiving ceremony for retired AIC Bishop Patrice Chumba, Murkomen condemned what he termed as a reckless, tribal-driven political agenda threatening national unity.
“You better choose peace, because this country must have peace. We won’t allow anyone to burn it down,” he warned.
His remarks come days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in a media interview claimed that the country will be rocked by violence should the 2027 election results fail to reflect his will.
“If the IEBC tries to mess with the 2027 election there will be no country here, 2007 will look like a Christmas Party,” declared Gachagua.
The former DP’s statement has drawn widespread condemnation from leaders across the political divide, who have decried his remarks as reckless, inflammatory, and a dangerous throwback to Kenya’s darkest political moments.
Murkomen reminded Kenyans of Gachagua’s past transgressions.
“He was not punished for invading Uhuru’s farm and stealing livestock. He was not punished for invading and burning Parliament. Now he wants to burn the whole country. We will deal with him decisively,” said the CS.
“Recently elected leaders following merchants of violence and chaos, you better run away. When we come for them, we will also come for you for supporting violence.”
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