Gachagua Refuses to Share Details on Alleged Ruto-Al-Shabaab Links, Cites Ongoing U.S. Investigation
Quote from Lawyer on August 27, 2025, 4:59 amIn a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Kenya, former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has refused to cooperate with Kenyan authorities regarding his claims that President William Ruto held meetings with Al-Shabaab operatives. Speaking during a recent engagement in the United States, Gachagua insisted that the matter is under investigation by the U.S. Senate, and he will only provide details to American authorities.
Gachagua’s allegations, made during his ongoing two-month U.S. tour, have stirred significant controversy back home. He accused President Ruto of engaging with the Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab, specifically citing a secret meeting allegedly held in Mandera. The former deputy president further claimed that Ruto’s policies, such as suspending vetting processes for foreign nationals obtaining Kenyan identification documents, pose a global security threat by potentially allowing terrorists to acquire Kenyan IDs and infiltrate other countries, including the United States.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen swiftly responded, demanding that Gachagua record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) upon his return to Kenya. Speaking at the Keiyo South Economic Empowerment Program on August 9, 2025, Murkomen accused Gachagua of exploiting sensitive national security issues for political gain. He emphasized that Gachagua’s public claims about Ruto’s alleged links to terrorism necessitate a formal explanation to Kenyan investigators. “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, adding that Gachagua’s remarks risk tarnishing Kenya’s international reputation.
Gachagua, however, dismissed the directive, arguing that the Kenyan government has not initiated its own investigation into the allegations against Ruto. He maintained that his cooperation would be limited to the U.S. Senate, which he claims is probing Ruto’s alleged ties not only to Al-Shabaab but also to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of war crimes. “I am not talking ill of my country, just speaking the truth,” Gachagua said, describing Kenya as a “beautiful country with good people but poor leadership.” He further urged the U.S. Senate to target sanctions at Ruto personally rather than imposing them on Kenya as a whole.
The former deputy president’s accusations extend beyond terrorism-related claims. Gachagua has also linked Ruto to state-sponsored violence against the Mt. Kenya region, alleging that the president orchestrated attacks on businesses and communities in the area. In a fiery social media post on July 9, 2025, before departing for the U.S., Gachagua accused Ruto of failing to condemn or offer condolences for the unrest, asserting that the president should face accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) rather than through Kenyan authorities. “How do we report state-sponsored militia to the police who supervised them as they burned and looted property?” he questioned, rejecting Ruto’s call for victims to report perpetrators to local law enforcement.
Gachagua’s claims have sparked polarized reactions in Kenya. Supporters view his statements as a courageous stand against alleged governance failures, praising his willingness to confront Ruto on an international stage. Critics, however, argue that his accusations are reckless and damaging to Kenya’s image, especially given the sensitive nature of terrorism-related allegations. Some leaders, including Kikuyu MP and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, have dismissed Gachagua’s claims as “malicious” and politically motivated, denying any evidence of state-sponsored violence or attacks on police stations.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ruto’s administration, both domestically and internationally. The U.S. Senate’s reported investigation into Ruto’s alleged links to the RSF and Al-Shabaab has added fuel to the political fire, with Gachagua positioning himself as a key figure in providing evidence to American authorities. He claimed to have detailed knowledge of meetings involving Ruto and terrorist groups, stating, “I was there when all those meetings took place, and I have all the details.” Gachagua also criticized Ruto for deflecting blame onto geopolitical tensions with China, insisting that the investigations focus on issues of international security rather than trade disputes.
As Gachagua continues his U.S. tour, his refusal to engage with Kenyan authorities has deepened the rift between him and Ruto’s administration. The opposition, led by figures like Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has echoed Gachagua’s call for international accountability, announcing plans to submit evidence to the ICC regarding alleged human rights violations and state-sponsored violence during protests between June 2024 and July 2025. These protests, particularly those during the Saba Saba Day commemorations, have been a focal point of criticism against Ruto’s government, with accusations of police brutality and abductions of young activists.
Murkomen, defending the government’s stance, has rejected claims of police misconduct, arguing that law enforcement has acted professionally to maintain order. He also caused a stir by ordering police to shoot protesters attempting to storm police stations, a directive that has drawn further condemnation from human rights groups.
The unfolding saga has placed Kenya’s political landscape under intense scrutiny, with Gachagua’s allegations raising questions about governance, security, and international relations. As the U.S. Senate’s investigation progresses, and with Gachagua vowing to provide evidence to foreign authorities, the situation remains a flashpoint in Kenyan politics, with potential implications for Ruto’s presidency and the country’s global standing.
In a dramatic escalation of political tensions in Kenya, former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has refused to cooperate with Kenyan authorities regarding his claims that President William Ruto held meetings with Al-Shabaab operatives. Speaking during a recent engagement in the United States, Gachagua insisted that the matter is under investigation by the U.S. Senate, and he will only provide details to American authorities.
Gachagua’s allegations, made during his ongoing two-month U.S. tour, have stirred significant controversy back home. He accused President Ruto of engaging with the Somalia-based terrorist group Al-Shabaab, specifically citing a secret meeting allegedly held in Mandera. The former deputy president further claimed that Ruto’s policies, such as suspending vetting processes for foreign nationals obtaining Kenyan identification documents, pose a global security threat by potentially allowing terrorists to acquire Kenyan IDs and infiltrate other countries, including the United States.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen swiftly responded, demanding that Gachagua record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) upon his return to Kenya. Speaking at the Keiyo South Economic Empowerment Program on August 9, 2025, Murkomen accused Gachagua of exploiting sensitive national security issues for political gain. He emphasized that Gachagua’s public claims about Ruto’s alleged links to terrorism necessitate a formal explanation to Kenyan investigators. “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, adding that Gachagua’s remarks risk tarnishing Kenya’s international reputation.
Gachagua, however, dismissed the directive, arguing that the Kenyan government has not initiated its own investigation into the allegations against Ruto. He maintained that his cooperation would be limited to the U.S. Senate, which he claims is probing Ruto’s alleged ties not only to Al-Shabaab but also to Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of war crimes. “I am not talking ill of my country, just speaking the truth,” Gachagua said, describing Kenya as a “beautiful country with good people but poor leadership.” He further urged the U.S. Senate to target sanctions at Ruto personally rather than imposing them on Kenya as a whole.
The former deputy president’s accusations extend beyond terrorism-related claims. Gachagua has also linked Ruto to state-sponsored violence against the Mt. Kenya region, alleging that the president orchestrated attacks on businesses and communities in the area. In a fiery social media post on July 9, 2025, before departing for the U.S., Gachagua accused Ruto of failing to condemn or offer condolences for the unrest, asserting that the president should face accountability at the International Criminal Court (ICC) rather than through Kenyan authorities. “How do we report state-sponsored militia to the police who supervised them as they burned and looted property?” he questioned, rejecting Ruto’s call for victims to report perpetrators to local law enforcement.
Gachagua’s claims have sparked polarized reactions in Kenya. Supporters view his statements as a courageous stand against alleged governance failures, praising his willingness to confront Ruto on an international stage. Critics, however, argue that his accusations are reckless and damaging to Kenya’s image, especially given the sensitive nature of terrorism-related allegations. Some leaders, including Kikuyu MP and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, have dismissed Gachagua’s claims as “malicious” and politically motivated, denying any evidence of state-sponsored violence or attacks on police stations.
The controversy comes amid heightened scrutiny of Ruto’s administration, both domestically and internationally. The U.S. Senate’s reported investigation into Ruto’s alleged links to the RSF and Al-Shabaab has added fuel to the political fire, with Gachagua positioning himself as a key figure in providing evidence to American authorities. He claimed to have detailed knowledge of meetings involving Ruto and terrorist groups, stating, “I was there when all those meetings took place, and I have all the details.” Gachagua also criticized Ruto for deflecting blame onto geopolitical tensions with China, insisting that the investigations focus on issues of international security rather than trade disputes.
As Gachagua continues his U.S. tour, his refusal to engage with Kenyan authorities has deepened the rift between him and Ruto’s administration. The opposition, led by figures like Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, has echoed Gachagua’s call for international accountability, announcing plans to submit evidence to the ICC regarding alleged human rights violations and state-sponsored violence during protests between June 2024 and July 2025. These protests, particularly those during the Saba Saba Day commemorations, have been a focal point of criticism against Ruto’s government, with accusations of police brutality and abductions of young activists.
Murkomen, defending the government’s stance, has rejected claims of police misconduct, arguing that law enforcement has acted professionally to maintain order. He also caused a stir by ordering police to shoot protesters attempting to storm police stations, a directive that has drawn further condemnation from human rights groups.
The unfolding saga has placed Kenya’s political landscape under intense scrutiny, with Gachagua’s allegations raising questions about governance, security, and international relations. As the U.S. Senate’s investigation progresses, and with Gachagua vowing to provide evidence to foreign authorities, the situation remains a flashpoint in Kenyan politics, with potential implications for Ruto’s presidency and the country’s global standing.