NAIROBI, KENYA - The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has dismissed allegations by Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, that his safety is under threat. In a scathing rebuttal on Thursday, November 13, 2025, the ruling party characterized Gachagua's concerns as baseless, politically motivated theatrics intended to sow discord.

The controversy began on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when Gachagua wrote a formal letter to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja. In the letter, Gachagua alleged the existence of a widely circulated social media video showing individuals threatening violence against him and his supporters. He claimed these threats were aimed at disrupting his planned campaign tour in Mbeere North constituency from November 16 to November 24, ahead of the by-election scheduled for November 27. The former Deputy President linked the individuals in the video to senior UDA officials, including Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who is also the UDA Chairperson, and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.

UDA's Counter-Allegations

In a hard-hitting response, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar Hassan described Gachagua's letter as a "panic-driven public statement" and a "satirical drama script" lacking any factual basis. The party vehemently denied any involvement in threats against Gachagua, stating the individuals named in his letter were unknown to the party and likely products of his "pregnant imagination." UDA asserted that the political environment in Mbeere North has been peaceful and that Gachagua's claims were a desperate attempt to create a false narrative of danger.

Furthermore, UDA turned the tables on Gachagua, accusing him of financial misconduct. The party alleged that Gachagua had swindled a parliamentary aspirant in Mbeere North by collecting substantial funds under the false pretense of issuing a DCP party nomination certificate. "As you plan to set foot in Mbeere territory, prepare to refund every penny you swindled from their kinsmen. This is not political opposition; it is a demand for basic financial accountability," the UDA statement read in part. Similar allegations of a plot to disrupt Gachagua's tour over a purported Ksh10 million debt to a candidate from the Chama Cha Kazi (CCK) party were also raised by CCK leader Moses Kuria, who claimed UDA functionaries planned to impersonate his party's supporters to instigate chaos.

A History of Political Friction

This public spat is the latest manifestation of the deep political rift between Gachagua and the UDA leadership, which he departed from in May 2025. His resignation followed his impeachment as Deputy Party Leader in October 2024, escalating a war of words where UDA branded him a "toxic, archaic, polarising and viscous individual." Gachagua, in turn, accused the party of betraying its campaign promises and failing to address the high cost of living.

Gachagua has previously raised concerns about his safety. In April 2025, he wrote to the Inspector General detailing a series of incidents he claimed were part of a coordinated effort to harm him, including an alleged assassination attempt in late 2024. He has demanded state protection for himself, his family, and his properties, citing his constitutional rights as a former Deputy President.

The Mbeere North parliamentary seat became vacant following the appointment of Godfrey Ruku to the Cabinet. As Gachagua prepares to campaign for the DCP candidate, Newton Karish, the escalating tensions between him and his former party highlight the high stakes of the upcoming by-election, which is seen as a litmus test for political influence in the region ahead of the 2027 general elections. Political analysts have warned that the continued public disagreements between senior political figures risk distracting from pressing national issues.