Gachagua Challenges Murkomen to Arrest Him
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has openly dared Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen to arrest him once he returns to Kenya, following his bold remarks in the United States linking President William Ruto to terrorism.
Speaking during a diaspora town hall meeting at Holy Names University in San Francisco, California, Gachagua dismissed Murkomen’s calls for him to record a statement immediately after landing back in the country.
He insisted that he has no fear of being arrested and maintained that his claims were based on investigations being carried out by the U.S. Senate, not by him personally.
“I am not a leader who operates out of fear. I am not the one investigating William Ruto — it is the Senate of the United States,” Gachagua said. “I have nothing important to tell Murkomen.
But if the Americans want me to help with their investigations, I would, because that is where the real investigations are taking place.”
Gachagua went on to accuse Murkomen of allegedly using his position to influence and control the National Police Service, despite the government’s repeated statements that security agencies operate independently without directives from political leaders.
In what many saw as a direct dare to the authorities, Gachagua declared that he would publicly reveal his exact date, time, and flight details when he decides to return to Kenya. “When my day to go back to Kenya comes, I will announce the date, the hour, and the flight number so that anyone interested in arresting me can come and do it,” he stated.
The political tension escalated after Gachagua claimed that President William Ruto held meetings with Al-Shabaab militia leaders during his trip to Mandera County.
Murkomen quickly hit back, accusing Gachagua of damaging Kenya’s international reputation and treating serious matters of national security as if they were a joke.
“I want to say without fear of contradiction — since he claims to have information and an agent meeting with Al-Shabaab — that as soon as he lands in Kenya, he must record a statement and tell us exactly which meetings he has been having with terrorists,” Murkomen said.
Gachagua, however, defended himself by saying he was only supporting the U.S. Senate’s move to re-evaluate Kenya’s status as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
Kenya was granted MNNA status during President William Ruto’s state visit to Washington in May 2024, the first such visit by a Kenyan head of state in 15 years.
Now, over a year later, American lawmakers are questioning whether Kenya still deserves the title. This follows an August amendment introduced by U.S. Senator James Risch, which outlines seven key areas for review.
These include Kenya’s efforts in fighting violent extremism, its contribution to peacekeeping missions in Africa and Haiti, and its military and security relationships with countries such as China, Russia, and Iran.
The review is seen as part of growing U.S. concerns over Kenya’s strengthening ties with global powers like China — a country that has been locked in trade disputes with the United States for months.
This diplomatic tension now appears to be spilling over into Kenyan politics, fueling a heated war of words between Gachagua and Murkomen.
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