Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dared Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to arrest him once he returns to the country following his explosive claims linking President William Ruto to terrorism while in the United States.
While speaking during a diaspora townhall engagement at Holy Names University, San Francisco, California, USA, Gachagua played down Murkomen's calls to have him record a statement immediately after he landed in the country.
"I am not a leader who buys fear. I am not the one who has launched investigations against William Ruto. It is the Senate of the United States," Gachagua said.
"I have nothing useful to tell him (Murkomen). But if the Americans want me to assist in investigations, I would because that is where the investigations are."
Gachagua also faulted Murkomen for allegedly controlling the National Police Service, whilst the government has reiterated on several occasions that security agencies do not receive directives from the government.
In what was a subtle dare to the government to arrest him, Gachagua reiterated that he would announce his date, time and flight ticket once he confirmed his return to Kenya.
He went on, "When my day to go to Kenya is due, I will announce the date, the hour and the flight number so that whoever is interested in arresting me can go ahead and do it."
Gachagua had initially claimed that President William Ruto met with Al-Shabaab militia leaders during his trip to Mandera County.
In response, Murkomen accused Gachagua of tarnishing Kenya’s image during his visit to the US, claiming he treated serious security concerns as a joke.
“I want to say, without fear of contradiction, because he has said that he has information and he knows, and that he has an agent who is holding meetings with Al-Shabaab, as soon as he lands in Kenya, he must record a statement to tell us exactly which meetings he is having with terrorists,” Murkomen stated.
Gachagua, however, maintains that he was simply backing the U.S Senate's decision to review Kenya's status as a Non-NATO Ally.
Kenya secured MNNA status during the Joe Biden administration, when President William Ruto made a state visit to Washington in May 2024 - the first such visit in 15 years.
According to reports, more than a year later, US lawmakers were questioning whether Nairobi still deserves the title, with the concerns coming in an August congressional amendment.
The amendment, introduced by US Senator James Risch, includes seven key areas for review, ranging from Kenya’s role in countering violent extremism and contributing to peacekeeping in Africa and Haiti, to its military and security engagements with countries like China, Russia, and Iran.
The move comes as a direct response from the US to Kenya's continued ties with superpowers like China, who have been embroiled in tariff wars with the United States for months.
