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Gachagua's Mandera Ultimatum: Calls to Expel Foreign Troops Spark National Security Debate

Published 1 month ago3 minute read
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Pelumi Ilesanmi
Gachagua's Mandera Ultimatum: Calls to Expel Foreign Troops Spark National Security Debate

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has recently escalated his criticism of the government, leveling multiple serious accusations during public addresses, including a service at Kajiado PCEA Ongata Rongai on Sunday, October 31, 2025, and a political rally in Machakos on May 30, 2025. A central point of his claims revolves around the alleged invasion of Mandera County by foreign troops, specifically Jubaland forces, which he asserts has resulted in five deaths, several injuries, and the displacement of numerous residents, including the disruption of schooling.

Gachagua stated that these foreign forces have occupied significant parts of Mandera, with specific reference to BP1 Primary School in Mandera Town, which was reportedly forced to close. He vehemently called on President William Ruto to order an immediate deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to expel these forces, emphasizing that the KDF's mandate is to protect Kenya's territorial integrity. Gachagua accused the national government of maintaining a 'studious silence' over the matter and criticized Mandera county leaders, including Governor Mohamed Khalif, for not speaking out sooner. His claims were echoed by Governor Khalif, who had previously demanded the withdrawal of Jubaland troops after they reportedly established a camp at the school and engaged in fighting with the Somali National Army, spilling across the border.

Beyond the Mandera invasion, Gachagua reiterated earlier allegations made during a trip to the United States, asserting that President Ruto held secret meetings with Somalia-based Al-Shabaab leaders in Mandera. He claimed to possess evidence supporting these alleged links, which he indicated would be shared with US authorities as part of ongoing investigations in the US Senate. Gachagua explicitly declined to provide these details to Kenyan security agencies, stating he would withhold the information from local authorities until officially requested, to avoid prejudicing the US investigations.

These allegations were strongly refuted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who dismissed Gachagua's claims as reckless and labeled him a 'reckless traitor.' Kindiki urged anyone with information regarding Al-Shabaab threats to present it directly to Kenya's security agencies rather than making public statements abroad.

Gachagua also expanded his critique to domestic issues, specifically condemning what he described as a high level of corruption in the country. He accused State House of being the 'centre of corruption' and alleged that President Ruto personally engages in bribery to influence Members of Parliament. Gachagua claimed that bribery, far from decreasing, has intensified, particularly at State House where money is reportedly 'dished out.'

As evidence of this corruption, he cited instances where 5,000 individuals from Kiambu, and later Meru residents, were allegedly bribed with Sh10,000 each at State House, purportedly to create political divisions. He expressed dismay at these actions, especially given President Ruto's public pronouncements against corruption during his US visit.

Further, Gachagua raised concerns about financial mismanagement within the health sector. He claimed that funds allocated for the Social Health Authority (SHA) are being channeled to non-existent hospitals, while legitimate mission hospitals are not receiving their due support.

Adding to his list of grievances, Gachagua highlighted an alleged attempt to illegally grab 152 acres of land belonging to PCEA Kajiado. He emphasized that the church holds the title deed to this land, keeping it in trust for the public, and condemned any government attempts to seize it.

Finally, Gachagua criticized the 'affordable housing' projects in Kajiado, arguing that the houses being built are not genuinely affordable but are instead intended for commercial purposes. He issued a stern warning to unsuspecting investors encouraged to buy these houses in advance, cautioning that a new government post-elections would return the land to the PCEA church, potentially leading to investors losing their properties if built by force on church land.

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