NAIROBI, KENYA – The United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party has issued a fiercely worded rebuttal to allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that his life is in danger, labelling his claims as baseless and politically motivated. In a formal letter dated Thursday, November 13, 2025, UDA Secretary-General Hassan Omar accused Mr. Gachagua of fabricating a narrative of peril to gain political sympathy ahead of a contentious by-election in Mbeere North, Embu County.

The public dispute ignited on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, when Mr. Gachagua, leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), wrote to the Inspector General of Police, Douglas Kanja. In his letter, Gachagua claimed to have credible intelligence of a plot to incite violence and potentially harm him during his planned campaign tour in Mbeere North, scheduled from November 16 to November 24. He alleged that individuals in widely circulated videos had issued direct threats against him and were linked to senior government officials, including Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, who is also the UDA Chairperson, and Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, the former MP for the area.

Mr. Gachagua specifically named Simon Njagi Njiru, Josiah Kariuki Ngari, and Susan Nyaga as individuals who should be arrested and charged for threatening violence. He warned IG Kanja of personal accountability, potentially before the International Criminal Court (ICC), should any harm befall him, citing what he termed a persistent failure by the police to act on previous threats.

UDA's Scathing Counter-Allegations

In its official response, the UDA party categorically rejected the accusations. The letter, signed by Hassan Omar, described Mr. Gachagua's claims as a “satirical drama script” and a “panic-driven public statement” lacking any factual basis. “Foremost, the claims and allegations as well as the names dropped in your letter, including the alleged 'close associates' of UDA Chairperson... only exist in your pregnant imagination,” the UDA statement read in part.

The ruling party further accused Mr. Gachagua of a history of using “abusive, insulting and offensive language” and engaging in political intimidation. The UDA letter also introduced counter-allegations, accusing the former Deputy President of financial misconduct by allegedly swindling funds from a prospective parliamentary candidate in Mbeere North under the false promise of a party nomination certificate.

Mbeere North: A High-Stakes Political Battleground

The escalating war of words is centered on the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025. The seat became vacant after its former occupant, Geoffrey Ruku, was appointed to the Cabinet. The election is widely seen as a critical political litmus test for both the ruling party and the newly formed opposition alliance that includes Mr. Gachagua. UDA has fielded Leonard Muthende as its candidate, while Mr. Gachagua and his allies are backing the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Newton Karish.

The contest is shaping up to be a proxy battle for control of the politically significant Mt. Kenya region, a bastion of support that was crucial to the UDA's victory in the last general election. A win for Gachagua's backed candidate could signal a significant shift in the region's political landscape and embolden his opposition movement, while a UDA victory would reaffirm the ruling party's dominance.

Police Response Unconfirmed

As of Thursday evening, November 13, 2025 (EAT), the National Police Service and the office of the Inspector General had not issued a public statement directly responding to the specific allegations raised in Mr. Gachagua's letter of November 12. DETAILS UNCONFIRMED. In April 2025, following similar claims of security withdrawal and threats on his life, the National Police Service had advised Mr. Gachagua to formally liaise with police at all levels to facilitate proper security planning for his public engagements. Mr. Gachagua's latest letter, however, suggests he believes the police service has remained inactive and complicit.

This public fallout follows a period of significant political realignment. Mr. Gachagua was impeached as Deputy President in October 2024, a move that solidified his break from the UDA administration he helped bring to power. He has since become a vocal critic of the government and a key figure in a new opposition coalition. The Mbeere North by-election is the latest flashpoint in this ongoing political drama, with the safety of political actors and the integrity of the electoral process now under intense public scrutiny.