Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticised the Inspector General of Police (IG-NPS), Douglas Kanja, accusing the National Police Service of obstructing his motorcade in Nakuru County, just days after assurances were given to political leaders.
Gachagua, speaking through his official X account on Monday, February 9, 2026, said the incident undermined commitments made during a closed-door meeting with IG Kanja on January 30.
He noted that during the meeting, Kanja had assured United Opposition leaders that the police service would respect constitutional provisions guaranteeing freedom of movement and assembly and would remain neutral in political matters.
According to Gachagua, the blockade involved four Land Cruisers manned by officers under the command of Naivasha OCPD Wilson Sigei.
The officers, some with masked faces, allegedly harassed members of the public for over an hour. The standoff ended only when hundreds of agitated locals gathered and demanded the roadblock's removal, allowing the entourage to pass.
Gachagua claimed the operation was ordered by Nakuru County Commander Emmanuel Opuru, whom he accused of acting under external political influence.
In a statement issued on Monday, February 9, 2026, Gachagua lambasted IG Kanja for failing to honor commitments made during a meeting with opposition leaders on January 30, 2026.
"Bwana IG, when we called on you on Friday 30th January 2026 with other National leaders before your two deputies and other senior officers, you gave us several commitments," Gachagua stated.
He recalled Kanja's assurances that the NPS would remain apolitical, refrain from disrupting public meetings, and uphold freedoms of movement and assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution.
Gachagua further alleged that the Nakuru police command had been compromised, specifically pointing to the influence of the spouse of the Nakuru County Governor.
"I specifically alerted you that the Police Command in Nakuru County was in the hands of the spouse to the County Governor," he said, accusing Kanja of surrendering police authority to "politicians, political operatives, and goons." This is not the first such claim; Gachagua referenced a prior incident in March 2025 where police allegedly disrupted his meetings in Mai Mahiu and Naivasha.
The former deputy president, now leading the Democratic Change Party (DCP), has been vocal about perceived state-sponsored interference in opposition activities.
This latest episode comes amid broader opposition complaints of police overreach, including allegations of violence during rallies in other regions like Narok.65d202 Gachagua has previously demanded Kanja's resignation over similar issues.