Former Deputy President H.E. Rigathi Gachagua has written an open letter to the Inspector General of Police, Mr. Douglas Kanja Kirocho, expressing serious concerns ahead of the Olkalou by-elections. The letter, dated 15th July 2026 and issued under the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), was shared publicly on Gachagua’s verified Facebook page on the same day.
In the correspondence addressed to the National Police Service headquarters in Nairobi, Gachagua accused the current police leadership of losing operational independence and alleged that key decisions within the service are now being influenced by political figures allied to President William Ruto.
The letter opens with a direct claim that the command structure of the National Police Service “has completely gone” to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji, and what Gachagua describes as “rogue politicians” allied to the Head of State. According to the former DP, this shift has undermined the ability of the IG to independently manage security operations across the country.
Gachagua argues that the main security challenge facing Olkalou and other parts of Kenya is not only civilian unrest but also the involvement of police officers who are allegedly operating outside official command. He specifically references officers in plain clothes as a source of disruption.
The letter cites a statement issued by the IG the previous afternoon, in which young people in Olkalou were urged to maintain peace and avoid interfering with the electoral process. Gachagua counters that, in his view, campaigns in the area have so far been peaceful. He claims that any disturbances witnessed have been linked to the actions of police officers in civilian clothing.
To support this, the letter lists incidents allegedly tied to a group referred to as the “Nairobi Sierra Group,” which Gachagua says operates under the direction of politicians known to the IG. Among the incidents mentioned:
- On 1st July 2026, an alleged attack at the Royal Garden Hotel in Olkalou where a mobile phone was reportedly taken and an OCS was recorded making statements.
- On 9th July 2026, an incident where DCP campaign vehicles were allegedly attacked with pepper spray.
- On 11th July 2026, another alleged attempt to disrupt DCP activities, again involving an attack on vehicles and the use of pepper spray.
- On 14th July 2026, an incident in EALA MP Hon. Kanini Kega’s area where a vehicle was reportedly attacked and damaged by individuals described as “hired goons.”
Gachagua notes that no action has been taken in response to these events.
The letter outlines several expectations for police conduct during the Olkalou by-election. Gachagua calls for security measures to be put in place to ensure the vote is peaceful. He also demands that the 2,000 officers deployed to the area must wear clearly visible service numbers, must not cover their faces, and must carry proper identification.
He further points out that deploying over 2,000 police officers for one by-election is unprecedented in the history of elections in Olkalou. While acknowledging that the IG may not be directly responsible if any violence occurs, Gachagua warns that accountability will still rest with the police leadership.
A significant portion of the letter alleges that some officers have been sent to Olkalou with the specific purpose of disrupting the voting process on election day. Gachagua claims the goal is to interfere with voting, destroy ballot materials, and ensure that the UDA candidate is declared the winner.
He also criticizes what he describes as a broader deterioration in the reputation of the police service during Kanja’s tenure. While acknowledging that the IG inherited a difficult situation, Gachagua suggests that public perception of the police has worsened and that this is an opportunity for Kanja to restore confidence among officers and citizens.
The letter goes on to urge the IG to order the withdrawal of any police officers who are not part of the formal deployment and who were allegedly brought in by CS Murkomen. Gachagua frames this as a test of leadership and courage.
In the final section, the letter references Section 12 of the Election Offences Act. The provision states that any public officer, member of the national security organs, or other person who tries to influence or compel a voter to support a particular candidate commits an offence. The penalty includes a fine of up to KSh 5 million or imprisonment for up to six years, or both.
Gachagua closes by signing off as Party Leader of DCP and reiterates the party’s slogan, “Skiza Wakenya.”
The Olkalou by-election has drawn national attention as one of the key electoral tests ahead of the 2027 general elections. Deployments of security personnel during by-elections are standard practice, but the scale of deployment and the allegations raised in the letter have sparked public discussion about neutrality, accountability, and the role of security agencies in electoral processes.
As of the time of posting, the National Police Service had not issued a formal response to the specific allegations contained in the letter. The IG’s earlier public statement had focused on a general call for peace and warned against any attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
The letter from DCP adds to a growing conversation about the independence of security institutions and how they navigate political pressure during election periods. With voting in Olkalou approaching, residents and political stakeholders will be watching closely to see how security operations are managed on the ground.
Gachagua’s decision to make the letter public via Facebook ensures that the concerns are now part of the wider public discourse. Whether the issues raised lead to changes in deployment or additional oversight remains to be seen as election day draws nearer.
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