A former elite bodyguard who protected ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has drawn a sharp contrast between his leadership style and that of political veteran Martha Karua, describing her as far more considerate and easier to work with.

The revelations by Levi Wanderi, made during a local podcast interview on Sunday, December 21, 2025, peel back the curtain on the high-pressure world of VIP protection and the leadership temperaments that define Kenya's top political figures.

Wanderi claimed that during the four months he was assigned to Gachagua, the then-Deputy President was a "hard person to advise and always wanted things to go his way." This insistence, Wanderi noted, created a challenging environment for the security detail, as any lapse could be blamed on the protectors, even if their advice was ignored.

A Tale of Two Principals

The officer's account paints two very different pictures of leadership. His experience with Martha Karua, whom he also served, was markedly different.

• On Martha Karua: Wanderi described the NARC-Kenya leader as "very flexible, humble, and attentive." He recounted how she would frequently inquire about her bodyguards' well-being, asking about their day or personal challenges to ensure they were at their best. "She listens to the people on the ground... Others don't care," Wanderi stated.
• On Rigathi Gachagua: In contrast, Wanderi alleged that an environment of mistrust and tribalism surrounded the former DP. He claimed Gachagua preferred to work with people from his own tribe, a sentiment Wanderi believes is common among many VIPs who feel they cannot trust those who do not speak their mother tongue.

The Weight of Command

Wanderi's decision to quit Gachagua's security team reportedly came just months before the former DP's Democracy for Citizens (DCP) continental tour. He emphasized that a bodyguard's advice should be taken seriously by their principals, warning that when it is downplayed, it becomes difficult to work together and raises the risk of security lapses.

The candid remarks from a professional tasked with the personal safety of senior leaders offer a rare, unfiltered perspective. They raise pertinent questions for the Kenyan public about the unseen pressures of high office and the character of those who hold it.

While neither Gachagua's nor Karua's office has issued a public response to the interview, Wanderi's account leaves Kenyans to ponder the human dynamics that quietly shape the nation's political destiny.