Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that the government has formed a special squad within the National Police Service (NPS) meant to disrupt his rallies.
Gachagua, on Saturday, January 10, raised concerns over the command of the police service, alleging the state capture of the service by a section of pro-government politicians.
According to Gachagua, the said politicians had allegedly defied the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja and formed their own special squad within the service to terrorise him and his supporters.
"Why have you surrendered the command of the NPS to politicians? Are you not embarrassed that the police service has become the cause of insecurity in the country instead of providing security to citizens?" Gachagua posed.
The former DP went ahead to reveal that on Friday, January 9, a special squad of officers in civilian clothes arrived in Kirinyaga County and commandeered two police land cruisers to disorganise his rally.
Gachagua revealed that the special squad, with the help of the county askari, violently attacked his convoy with tear gas and live ammunition, leaving behind a trail of damage.
The former DP alleged that one of his security personnel was injured, and his media team had their communication equipment confiscated and destroyed.
"They stopped us from proceeding to Kagio town for a public engagement. We retreated and used an alternative route and arrived in Kagio and addressed thousands of DCP supporters," Gachagua alleged.
He alleged that the officers arrived at the area under the command of a senior officer who is attached to a local MP. According to Gachagua, the same senior officer had initially commanded the attack on Nyandarua Senator John Methu's convoy.
"The same officer and the women representative took over Narok police command during the recent by-elections and attacked my convoy and unleashed terror on the people of Narok town," he alleged.
Gachagua further revealed that the same unnamed senior police officer also ordered the mounting of a roadblock on the Sagana-Kagio-Kutus road to stop his rally from taking place.
In his statement, Gachagua directly challenged IG Kanja to explain to Kenyans what he described as an alleged breakdown of command and control within the NPS.
He also called for the immediate arrest of the squad and the officers involved in yesterday's violence, further recommending that those arrested be charged with robbery with violence.
