Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has brushed off threats of arrest, making it clear that he is not afraid of the possibility of being jailed.
Speaking during Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party launch on Thursday, February 27, 2025, Gachagua while daring the state to arrest him, mentioned that he hears daily rumours of his arrest, but he is not scared of being jailed.
He went on to say that the current prison cells are well-built and even have indoor toilets, which he sees as an improvement from the conditions where he was born.
“Our leaders musiogope hizi jela zinztengenezewa wanaume na wanawake, mimi kila siku wanasema ati wanapanga kunishika mimi nasema atanikishikwa cells za siku hizi ni ya mawe na iko na choo ya ndani pahali nilizaliwa iko na matope cell is an improvement of where I was born so there is no there is no problem (Our leaders should not fear jail. These cells are made for men and women. Every day, I hear they are planning to arrest me, but I say, even if they do, today’s cells are built with stone and have indoor toilets. Where I was born, there were mud floors. A cell is an improvement from my birthplace,)” Gachagua said.
The second deputy president emphasized that leaders must be willing to sacrifice for the people and should not allow fear or intimidation to stop them from fighting for Kenyans.
He further urged political leaders to remain steadfast in their commitment to serving the people.
“There is no problem we must sacrifice and if we are intimidated, if we develop fear where will Kenyans go lazima tusaidie wakenya kwa kusimama imara na tukisimama imara tuta faulu,(We must help Kenyans by standing firm. If we get scared, where will Kenyans go? If we remain strong, we will succeed,)”he added.
PLP official launch
Apart from Gachagua, several key political figures, including the Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and, the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) Eugene Wamalwa, are in attendance.
The formation of PLP comes amid growing efforts by Karua, Kalonzo, and Wamalwa to forge a strong alliance ahead of the 2027 general election. Their objective is to mount a formidable challenge against President William Ruto’s administration.
The group has been holding a series of meetings to solidify their support, particularly in the Mt. Kenya region, where Gachagua has been actively consolidating his political base. Karua and Gachagua have met at least twice in public in recent weeks.