Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that a killer squad of 101 officers exists within the police service. And that it was formed under the direct orders of President William Ruto.
While speaking at a church service in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua said the squad is made up of highly trained officers. And that it is backed by the National Intelligence Service (NIS), led by Noordin Haji.
Gachagua, aka Riggy G, said Ojwang’s case is only one example of a wider pattern of extrajudicial killings.
“This issue is just a tip of the iceberg. Hundreds of young people have been tortured to death by a special squad set up on the instruction of William Ruto,” he claimed.
“They have been trained in abductions, torture, killings, and cover-ups.”
He said the president must be held responsible for these deaths and called for international attention and action.
“William Ruto cannot run away from these deaths. He is responsible, and Kenyans will punish him for that,” Gachagua stated.
Rigathi Gachagua.
Gachagua’s Statement is amid Albert Ojwang’s Death in Custody Contoversy
Ojwang’s death has sparked public outrage and protests, especially after the police’s account of events has been contradicted by evidence that keeps coming up.
First, the Police claimed Albert Ojwang committed suicide by repeatedly hitting his head against the cell wall. But the post-mortem revealed that Ojwang was beaten and strangled to death while in police custody. And that his wounds are not self-inflicted.
According to the DCI, Ojwang’ was found unconscious in his cell at 1:39 am on June 8 and taken to Mbagathi Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
But hospital CCTV shows the police car carrying Ojwang’ arriving at 1:35 am. He remained inside the vehicle for 24 minutes before being taken into the facility. A hospital report confirmed he was dead on arrival.
The inconsistencies have, and are fueling calls for justice, with Kenyans demanding the arrest of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Kipkoech Lagat, who filed a complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest.
As pressure builds, Gachagua’s explosive claims have added a new layer to an already troubling case.
