Gachagua claims top security officials are running goons headquarters from Lavington

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that unnamed senior security officials are operating what he termed a “goons headquarters” based in Lavington, Nairobi, which he claims is being used to coordinate political violence in the country.

Speaking on Sunday, April 12, 2026, during a church service at PEFA Works in Kajiado County, Gachagua said he had information suggesting that disruptions witnessed in various political gatherings were being planned from a central point.

“Hii maneno ya goonism, kuna ofisi imefunguliwa pale Lavington. Kazi ya goonism, ile yote inaendelea Kenya ndio wanapanga,” he claimed.

He accused elements within the security apparatus of failing to uphold their mandate, alleging that they were instead enabling intimidation and violence against political opponents.

Gachagua further linked the alleged coordination to recent incidents in Kiambu and other parts of the country, saying the same group was responsible for multiple attacks on political meetings and even church events.

He also alleged that youths had recently been approached and offered money to participate in violent activities, claiming a deposit of KSh5 million had been used in an attempted recruitment.

“Ile maneno imetokea jana, huyu mjumbe alijaribu kupanga goons vijana na akawapatia deposit ya five million,” he said.

According to him, the youths later declined the offer after consulting elders and returned the money.

“Usiku vijana wakafanya mkutano na wazee, wakamrudishia pesa yake,” he added.

Gachagua further claimed that the alleged organiser later issued threats, saying he would resign if he did not receive assistance from police.

“Ndio akakimbia akasema tukikubaliwa kufanya mkutano ataisha, na ataresign. He threatened that asiposaidiwa na polisi atawacha kazi,” he said.

He also alleged that the same group was behind earlier disruptions targeting political and church gatherings, describing them as a coordinated unit operating across different incidents.

“So the unit that attacked us in Kiambu was not the local police… it is the same squad that attacked us at the Witima Church,” he claimed.

The remarks add to growing political tensions, with opposing camps trading accusations over alleged use of organised groups to interfere with public and political events.