Homes linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were on Sunday evening surrounded by police officers drawn from multiple units, reportedly in pursuit of the former second-in-command.
The operation was confirmed by Gachagua's ally and lawyer, Ndegwa Njiru, who issued a public alert, raising concern over the late-night deployment to Gachagua’s residences in Karen and Wamunyoro.
According to Njiru, the officers were conducting a manhunt for the Democracy and Citizens Party leader without offering any explanation for the operation.
"To all media houses, kindly be informed that the DCI has taken control of both HE Rigathi Gachagua’s homes in Karen and Wamunyoro. They are currently manhunting him. We are yet to be informed of the reason," Njiru stated.
Earlier on Sunday, social media was abuzz with information that the officers were in pursuit of Gachagua, with pictures of the officers at the homes of the former DP circulating on social media.
DCP Deputy Party Leader Cleophas Malala alleged that the officers were from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), General Service Unit (GSU), and the National Intelligence Service (NIS).
''This evening, officers drawn from the DCI, GSU, NIS, and other special forces have raided and unlawfully occupied my Party Leader, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua's homes in Wamunyoro, Mathira, and even Karen, attempting to apprehend him for only God knows what!'' Malala claimed.
Malala condemned the incident, accusing President William Ruto’s administration of using security agencies to settle political scores.
"I strongly condemn the misuse of our disciplined forces to settle political scores by this failing Ruto regime. No amount of intimidation or dictatorship can stop the inevitable — Ruto's one-term reality. He must go, and go he will," he stated.
Nyandarua Senator John Methu was also caught up in a dramatic incident earlier, after police allegedly launched a manhunt for him.
The Senator revealed that he had to resort to an alternative mode of transport, getting a lift from a good Samaritan who was ferrying avocados in a pickup truck.
"Thank you all for your concern. I am safe. If you’re the one who gave a lift to an old man wearing a jacket and black cap in a pickup full of avocados and dropped me off at Delview, thank you. The Subarus [police vehicles] had ill intentions," he stated.
On Sunday, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking at separate political events, vowed that the government would take firm action against individuals inciting the public ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Their remarks came just two days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua warned the government against any attempts to interfere with the integrity of the 2027 polls, stating that any form of election manipulation would not be tolerated.
