National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has sparked a political uproar by accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating the increasing cases of abductions in the country. The allegations were made on Friday, January 3, 2025, during the burial ceremony of Moses Wetang’ula’s mother in Kabuchai, Bungoma County.
While addressing mourners, Ichung’wah alleged that Gachagua masterminded the abductions to undermine President William Ruto’s leadership. “Gachagua was the orchestrator of abductions so that he could blame President Ruto,” Ichung’wah stated, adding a new dimension to the already fraught relationship between the two political figures.
These remarks follow recent criticisms from Gachagua, who publicly linked President Ruto to the same issue of abductions. Ichung’wah’s accusations intensified the tension, painting Gachagua as a divisive figure within the political landscape.
The Majority Leader also directed sharp criticism at Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya, who was in attendance at the burial. He accused the governor of inaction during his tenure as a Regional Commissioner, stating, “Shame on you, Governor Natembeya. You cannot complain about abductions when you were the key abductor of Kenyans under the last regime.”
Ichung’wah alleged that Natembeya had the resources and authority to address the abduction crisis during his time in office but failed to do so. He further accused the governor of promoting divisive and ethnically charged politics in the Western region. “The divisive politics that you are promoting will not succeed. Your leader in divisive and ethnic politics, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is the one behind the abductions,” Ichung’wah added.
The legislator’s accusations did not stop there. He blamed Natembeya for being complicit in the deaths of individuals whose bodies were discovered in River Yala and linked him to the controversial Mau evictions. “When you killed people and dumped them at River Yala, you were the Regional Commissioner in charge of abductions and murdering Kenyans. Shame on you,” Ichung’wah charged.
During the burial, tensions were palpable as mourners showed hostility toward Natembeya. Efforts to interrupt his speech highlighted the power struggle between him and Wetang’ula. However, after repeated interruptions, the crowd eventually allowed Natembeya to address them.
In his speech, Natembeya called for an end to abductions and condemned the use of social media to spread hate. “We want abductions to end. The youth are using foul language on social media. That needs to change. If it cannot change, people should not be killed or abducted because of it,” he remarked.
The heated exchange between the two leaders has underscored the deepening political rift in the country, with accusations flying from all sides and little resolution in sight.
