Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that he deliberately concealed his return to Kenya from the United States after receiving a briefing from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) warning him of a threat to his life linked to President William Ruto.
Gachagua said he arrived back in the country without notifying anyone, including his personal driver and security detail, choosing instead to travel to his Wamunyoro residence in a Probox vehicle.
What Gachagua said about his secret return
“I returned from the USA and did not tell anybody, not even my personal driver or security. I arrived privately with no photos, boarded a Probox, and headed straight to Wamunyoro residence,” Gachagua said during an interview with Inooro TV on Sunday, November 1,
He attributed the decision to intelligence he had reportedly received from NIS, alleging that Ruto had deployed police, GSU, and DCI officers to intercept him at the airport.
According to Gachagua, the security deployment was rendered ineffective because he had arrived a day earlier than anticipated.
“Ruto deployed Police, GSU, and DCI to wait for me at the airport the following day since he was not aware that I arrived the previous day,” he said.
Gachagua went further, claiming that NIS keeps him better informed than it does the sitting president, stating, “NIS briefs me more than President Ruto and also informs me of Ruto’s plans.”
Context behind the low-key arrival
The covert return marked a sharp departure from Gachagua’s previous homecoming, which drew large crowds of supporters to Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA). On the August 2025 occasion, the gathering disrupted airport operations and prompted police to fire teargas to disperse the crowds.
The unrest also led to the cancellation of a planned public address at Kamukunji, where Gachagua had been expected to speak to supporters.
The 50-day US trip took him through Spokane in Washington, Portland in Oregon, Kansas, Dallas in Texas, and Boston in Massachusetts.
The allegations against Ruto represent a significant escalation in the public feud between the two leaders since Gachagua’s impeachment from the office of deputy president in October 2024.
