The battle for the soul of Nakuru politics has turned personal, with Rigathi Gachagua claiming a shadowy figure is pulling the strings of the county’s police force: the Governor’s husband.

In a startling escalation of his feud with the Nakuru county leadership, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ripped the veil off what he describes as a "state capture" of the local security apparatus. He alleges that the real power behind the police operations disrupting his meetings is not the Inspector General, but businessman Sam Mburu, the spouse of Governor Susan Kihika.

Gachagua’s accusation transforms a political rivalry into a scandal of governance. He claims that Mburu, a private citizen with no constitutional authority, has effectively usurped the role of the County Police Commander, issuing orders to uniformed officers to blockade roads and teargas opposition rallies. "The command has regrettably been surrendered to a business associate of Governor Kihika," Gachagua charged, labeling Mburu a "busybody" who is using state resources to settle personal scores.

The "Shadow Commander" Accusation

Speaking after his entourage was blocked at the Karati River, Gachagua painted a picture of a police force that has been compromised by patronage. He alleged that Mburu has been bragging to officers about his proximity to power—specifically his relationship with President William Ruto—and using that perceived influence to intimidate law enforcement into obedience.

"I have talked to the police in Nakuru, and they are crying," Gachagua claimed, positioning himself as the voice of the rank-and-file officers. "They are saying the husband of Governor Susan Kihika is the one who is giving instructions." This allegation suggests a complete breakdown of professional ethics within the Nakuru police command, where orders from a businessman supersede the standing orders of the service.

A Tangled Web of Interests

The conflict is rooted in the high-stakes politics of the Rift Valley, but Gachagua insists it is also about business. He characterized Mburu as a businessman involved in the "importation of duty-free sugar and rice," insinuating that the control of the police is also about protecting commercial interests. By linking the police blockade to Mburu, Gachagua is attempting to delegitimize Governor Kihika’s administration, framing it as a family enterprise rather than a public service.

• The Threat: Gachagua claims Mburu has threatened to transfer officers who disobey his "illegal" orders, creating a culture of fear within the station.
• The Retaliation: In a direct appeal to the voters, Gachagua called for political retribution. "To punish him, his wife, Susan Kihika, should be a one-term governor," he declared, explicitly linking the Governor’s political survival to her husband’s alleged conduct.
• The Defense: Nakuru MCAs have rallied to Mburu’s defense, terming him a "philanthropist" and accusing Gachagua of reckless vendetta politics.

As the accusations fly, the integrity of the Nakuru police is on trial. If a private citizen can indeed command the erection of roadblocks and the deployment of riot squads, then the line between public security and private militia has been dangerously erased.