A collage of Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua./FILEPublic Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed claims by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linking him to alleged threats of election violence in Mbeere North Constituency.
In a statement issued on Thursday, November 13, Ruku termed the allegations “unfounded and misleading,” saying they are part of what he described as Gachagua’s continued “hate speeches” aimed at whipping up public emotions.
“I have come across a letter attributed to the DCP Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua that makes reference to a video clip that allegedly shows certain individuals issuing threats of violence on the people of Mbeere North,” CS Ruku said.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Gachagua had accused Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of inaction over alleged threats of violence ahead of the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election.
In a letter dated Wednesday, November 12, 2025, the former Deputy President urged the police chief to arrest and prosecute individuals he claimed were behind threats targeting him and residents in the constituency.
The by-election is scheduled for November 27, 2025. Gachagua said the threats were contained in videos circulating widely on social media, warning of possible unrest in the area.
He insisted that the police had sufficient evidence to take immediate action.
“Despite the evidence and information in your custody, the above persons have not been arraigned. We demand that ahead of the by-elections, the above persons must be arrested immediately, arraigned, and charged under the Penal Code,” he wrote.
The DCP leader had named several individuals he alleged were behind the threats. Gachagua further claimed that those he mentioned had links to senior government officials.
He alleged that the suspects were close to Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who previously served as the MP for Mbeere North.
In his appeal, Gachagua said the alleged threats could undermine peace and fair competition in the upcoming poll if not addressed promptly.
He called on the Inspector General to act swiftly to protect voters’ rights and ensure security before the constituency goes to the ballot.
However, CS Ruku has clarified that although he knows some of the people mentioned in the letter, he cannot be held responsible for their private actions or utterances.
“For the record, the individuals are well known to me. However, I am not and cannot be personally responsible for their private activities or utterances,” he stated.
Ruku said the letter by Gachagua was “nothing but one of his usual hate speeches meant to whip public emotions and hatred” against him.
He added that if the former Deputy President was genuinely aggrieved by the video, he should have reported the matter to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).
“If indeed Hon. Gachagua was aggrieved by the said video clip, his first port of call ought to have been the Directorate of Criminal Investigations. He ought to have visited any Regional or Sub-County Criminal Investigations Office or made his complaint through Post Office Box Number 30036 – 00100, Nairobi, or email: [email protected],” Ruku said.
He added that the DCI, not the Inspector General of Police, is legally mandated to investigate such complaints and make recommendations to the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“The letter to Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, the Inspector General of Police, was motivated more by Gachagua’s usual dramatisations than by his quest and search for criminal justice,” he said.
Ruku said he respects Gachagua’s right to expression, political association, and movement as guaranteed under the Constitution, but cautioned that those freedoms are not absolute.
“The right to freedom of expression does not extend to hate speech, advocacy for hatred, and disrespect for other persons’ rights and reputations,” he said.
He accused the Deputy President of planning a visit to Mbeere North “to further his hate speeches and disrespect” towards Kenya Kwanza leaders.
“Hon. Gachagua’s visit to Mbeere North has nothing to do with the enjoyment of his rights. His visit is only intended to intensify his hate speeches,” Ruku claimed.
The Cabinet Secretary also clarified that Gachagua's party, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), is not participating in the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 27.
“DCP is not in any coalition with any political party that is participating in the by-election. Therefore, Hon. Gachagua has no political party or cause to campaign for in Mbeere North,” he stated.
Ruku urged residents of Mbeere North to focus on development rather than political divisions.
“Mbeere North deserves solutions to water, transport, education, energy, and food security challenges. It does not deserve hate speeches and advocacy of hatred,” he said.
