Gachagua Criticizes IG Kanja Days After Talks With Police Leadership
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again criticized the leadership of the National Police Service (NPS), accusing Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja of allowing political influence within the police service and failing to honour commitments made during recent discussions with opposition leaders.
In a statement released on Monday, February 9, 2026, Gachagua said the Inspector General had earlier assured members of the United Opposition that the police would remain neutral and professional in carrying out their duties.
According to Gachagua, the meeting had focused on the need for the police to respect constitutional rights, particularly freedom of assembly, movement, and the right of leaders to hold public meetings without interference.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader recalled that IG Kanja had firmly promised that the police service under his command would not disrupt lawful gatherings or prevent political leaders from interacting with citizens.
Gachagua said the assurances gave opposition leaders confidence that future engagements with the public would proceed peacefully and without intimidation from security agencies.
“You gave us an assurance that the service will respect constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of movement and assembly,” Gachagua stated, adding that the understanding reached during the talks appeared to have been short-lived.
The former Deputy President claimed that events which followed showed a different picture on the ground. He alleged that the police command in Nakuru County had been compromised and was operating under political pressure from individuals with close ties to local leadership.
Gachagua further argued that this situation had weakened public confidence in the neutrality of the police.
He also claimed that he had previously raised concerns directly with the Inspector General, warning that the police command in Nakuru County was allegedly influenced by political interests.
According to him, the situation had resulted in what he described as the police surrendering operational control to political actors and individuals seeking to interfere with opposition activities.
The accusations came after Gachagua attended a church service at Good Shepherd Parish Catholic Church in Njabini, Nyandarua County, on Sunday alongside other opposition leaders.
After the service, the group was expected to proceed to several locations to meet residents, including planned stops in Nakuru County.
However, reports later emerged of a heavy police presence along the Karati River area, where opposition leaders claimed a roadblock had been set up to prevent Gachagua and his entourage from proceeding to Kinamba in Naivasha.
The former DP alleged that officers stationed at the roadblock stopped his convoy and delayed movement for more than an hour.
According to Gachagua, police officers driving four Land Cruiser vehicles and operating under the command of the Naivasha OCPD erected the roadblock and intimidated members of the public who had gathered along the route.
He claimed that tensions rose at the scene until members of the public confronted the officers and demanded that the convoy be allowed to proceed, after which the police reportedly withdrew.
Gachagua further accused the Naivasha police of repeatedly interfering with his political engagements, pointing to an earlier incident in March 2025 where he alleged that officers disrupted his team’s activities in Mai Mahiu and Naivasha town.
He said such actions undermine democratic space and contradict earlier assurances given by the police leadership.
The latest remarks are expected to add to the ongoing debate about the role of security agencies during political activities, especially as opposition leaders continue to raise concerns about police conduct during public gatherings across different parts of the country.
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