Gachagua Slams Government Over Abductions, Media Freedom and NTSA Fines

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing the government of hypocrisy over its handling of victims of anti-government protests while alleging that enforced disappearances and abductions are still taking place across the country.

Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County during a meeting with Nairobi-based leaders and supporters, Gachagua questioned the government’s recently announced compensation programme for victims of human rights violations, arguing that justice cannot be achieved if alleged abductions and enforced disappearances continue.

“So, what is the need where you are justifying you are compensating victims of abduction and extrajudicial killing when the same abductions are going on?” Gachagua posed. He further called on the international community to place President Ruto “on notice” over the alleged human rights violations.

The former Deputy President also raised fresh allegations regarding the government’s recently introduced instant traffic fines, claiming that payments collected from motorists are being deposited into private accounts instead of official accounts managed by the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA). While he did not provide evidence to support the allegations, Gachagua questioned the transparency of the digital payment system and demanded accountability over the collection of public revenue.

He further criticized the government’s plan to introduce mandatory annual inspections for private vehicles older than four years, arguing that the policy would place an unnecessary financial burden on motorists at a time when many Kenyans are already struggling with the high cost of living.

Gachagua also announced plans to launch an economic boycott targeting companies he claims are linked to President Ruto. He revealed that he is compiling a list of businesses allegedly associated with the Head of State and promised to make the names public in the coming days.

“We’ll also drive him out of business. I’ll announce all those companies. I am compiling. So far, I have 17 companies,” Gachagua said, without identifying the firms or providing evidence of their ownership.

The DCP leader also accused the government of attempting to intimidate journalists and suppress media freedom, warning against what he described as efforts to silence independent reporting. He argued that a free press remains essential in holding those in power accountable and cautioned the government against returning the country to what he termed the “dark days” of political repression.

“Do not take us back to the dark days of the ’80s and the ’90s. It is unbelievable that in the era of information technology, artificial intelligence, and citizen journalism, the state can sit down and think of how to silence the media,” he said.

Meanwhile, Jubilee Party Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i, while opening a party office in Kirinyaga County, also criticized the government’s handling of security, alleging that criminal gangs are increasingly being used to intimidate citizens. Matiang’i expressed concern over the country’s security situation and called for greater protection of citizens and the rule of law.

The latest remarks by opposition leaders come amid heightened political tensions over governance, human rights, security, and accountability, with both the government and its critics increasingly clashing over the country’s political direction ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The government has previously maintained that it is committed to upholding the rule of law and protecting constitutional rights, while investigations into various allegations of abductions, human rights abuses, and public accountability continue.