Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has raised alarm over rising political tensions in Mbeere North ahead of the upcoming by-election.
In a letter addressed to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Gachagua urged the police chief to take firm action against individuals allegedly aligned with the government who he claims are issuing threats of violence.
He stated that such acts were meant to intimidate voters and disrupt the democratic process.
Gachagua pointed out several individuals, including Simon Njagi Njiru, also known as Gikundo wa Gikundo, Josiah Kariuki Ngari, also known as Mteezi Puff, and Susan Nyaga, who were captured in viral social media videos threatening violence against residents of Mbeere North and against him personally.
These threats, he said, came ahead of his planned campaign activities from November 16, 2025. He accused the police of failing to act despite the existence of video evidence and claimed that those involved should already have been arrested and arraigned in court before the by-election.
He linked the individuals behind the alleged threats to Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who is also the immediate former MP for Mbeere North. According to Gachagua, one of the suspects, Simon Njagi Njiru, currently serves as Governor Mbarire’s Director of Communication. He stressed that the people of Mbeere North must be free to vote for any candidate of their choice without fear, intimidation, or political interference.
Addressing Inspector General Kanja directly, Gachagua reminded him of his constitutional and civic duty to maintain peace and order, warning that continued acts of violence under his watch could amount to a national security threat.
“Mr Kanja, as a senior citizen who has served this nation in different capacities, including as the 2nd Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, elected by 7.2 million Kenyans, and in the security sector, it is my civic duty to advise you that the drums of war being beaten in Mbeere North under your watch are a national security threat,” he said.
He further cautioned that failure to act could result in accountability before the International Criminal Court (ICC), referring to historical cases linked to the 2007/08 post-election violence.Gachagua also recalled past attacks and harassment against him and his supporters, citing his return from the United States in August 2025 and alleged assassination attempts in April 2025.
He lamented that no credible investigations or arrests had been made following these incidents.He revealed that he intends to visit Mbeere North between November 16 and 24, 2025, to campaign for his preferred candidate.
However, he warned that the presence of state-sponsored goons could endanger the credibility of the electoral process.
“I have credible intelligence that the state-sponsored goons who have been harassing me and my supporters have been fully mobilised for Mbeere North ahead of my arrival,” he said.
The letter was copied to several security bodies, including the National Intelligence Service (NIS), the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), and other agencies.
Gachagua also appealed to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) Chairperson, Erastus Edung Ethekon, to ensure transparency and fairness in the Mbeere North by-election.
