- The former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked a political debate after a live interview on Citizen TV, where he made bold claims about an alleged assassination attempt, defended his nationalist identity, and addressed international concerns over Kenya’s foreign relations.
The former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked a political debate after a live interview on Citizen TV on August 26, 2025, where he made bold claims about an alleged assassination attempt, defended his nationalist identity, and addressed international concerns over Kenya’s foreign relations.
Speaking with journalist Yvonne Okwara, Gachagua responded to accusations of tribalism, insisting he is a nationalist, not a tribalist. He argued that loving one’s community does not equate hatred towards others and challenged critics to produce evidence of divisive rhetoric.
“I’m a nationalist. Loving your community doesn’t mean hating others,” he said.
He pointed to his support for President William Ruto in the 2022 elections who is not from his ethnic group as evidence of his commitment to national unity. Gachagua argued that the tribal narrative is being pushed by political rivals seeking to damage his reputation following his fallout with the President.
Gachagua alleged that upon returning from a recent U.S. tour, he narrowly escaped a planned attack close to Pipeline, Nairobi. He claimed that police officers dressed as goons were deployed to apprehend him and that a large object was dropped onto his vehicle in what he called a failed assassination attempt.
The allegations have sparked widespread concern and debate, with no official government response issued as of this publication.
Gachagua also addressed a controversial bill (still under review) introduced by U.S. Senator James Risch, which calls for a review of Kenya’s status as a major non-NATO ally.
The bill raised concerns over Kenya’s expanding relations with China, Iran, and alleged links between Kenyan officials and terrorist groups such as Al Shabaab and Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
“This is not something I came up with,” Gachagua clarified. “It is a document before the U.S. Senate. The allegations are written there in black and white. I only referred to what was already in the public domain.”
Some Kenyans have reacted negatively to the interview. Social media sites such as YouTube and X have lit up with criticism.
While some claimed Gachagua was the real deal, others accused him of failing to rise above ethnic politics and undermining national unity.
Gachagua’s interview has reignited debates around leadership, national identity, and Kenya’s place on the global stage.
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