The Pastoralists Community Professional Association (PCPA) has strongly criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for remarks he made in the United States, accusing President William Ruto of getting into bed with Al-Shabaab thereby jeopardizing Kenya’s security.
While addressing an audience in America on Friday, Gachagua alleged that senior members of the executive held a secret meeting with al-Shabaab representatives in Mandera and struck a business deal with the terrorist group. He went on to claim that the executive met three leaders of the Somalia-based militant organization to “discuss business” away from the public eye.
Gachagua warned that such actions could pave the way for suspected terrorists to be registered as Kenyan citizens, enabling them to infiltrate other countries and carry out attacks.
In a strongly worded statement, PCPA secretary Yunis Ibrahim Sheikh condemned Gachagua’s allegations as “reckless and defamatory,” insisting they were false and dangerously divisive.
“His unfounded attempt to link easing of vetting protocols affecting ethnic Somali Kenyans to terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab is both false and dangerously divisive,” the statement said.
Pastoralist Leaders Accuse Gachagua of Ethnic Profiling
The group accused Gachagua of reviving old wounds by recalling the traumatic memory of ethnic profiling that Somali Kenyans and other border counties pastoralist communities have endured.
It pointed out that over decades, the citizens were denied passports and IDs, and access to public services under discriminatory vetting policies that had no legitimate security justification.
PCPA defended President William Ruto’s decision to scrap the vetting system, describing it as a lawful and long-overdue move toward fairness.
The association accused Gachagua of having a history of exclusionary politics, citing his past remarks questioning the suitability of pastoralist leaders for senior positions and his promotion of the controversial “government shareholders” concept.
“He is now weaponizing ethnicity to attack the President and marginalized communities. This is not leadership, it is destructive scapegoating that threatens our fragile national unity,” Yunis said.
PCPA urged concerned agencies to act quickly in defending human rights, preserving national unity, and promoting international peace.
Murkomen Demands Gachagua Explain Terrorism Remarks
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen on the other hand said that Gachagua will be asked to make a statement upon his return to Kenya to explain his claims.
“He thinks he is going to parade issues of terrorism in America to get votes,” Murkomen said. “As soon as he lands in Kenya, he must tell us exactly which meetings he is having with terrorists..”
Murkomen blamed Gachagua for embarrassing the country internationally and trivializing grave issues of national security.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba also called on the DCI to arrest Gachagua, describing his remarks as a desperate move to score political points.
