Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called for a thorough and independent inquest into the deaths of several prominent Kenyans during President William Ruto’s administration.
Speaking while giving his assessment of President Ruto’s four years in power, Gachagua raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the deaths of former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno.
Gachagua said the deaths required greater transparency and accountability, particularly where questions remained over the circumstances surrounding them.
On the death of former CDF General Francis Ogolla, Gachagua said the military chief died while on active duty and argued that his death therefore warranted full disclosure from the highest levels of government.
He also raised questions over the circumstances surrounding the death of Raila Odinga, alleging irregularities in the medical care he received during his final hours.
Gachagua questioned why Odinga’s personal doctors were allegedly denied access to him, while physicians from Nairobi West Hospital were present. He further questioned aspects of the former Prime Minister’s funeral arrangements, saying some of the decisions appeared to depart from Luo cultural traditions.
Gachagua also presented what he described as intelligence concerning the helicopter crash that claimed the life of Johana Ng’eno, alleging a possible sabotage scenario involving contaminated fuel.
According to Gachagua, the helicopter dropped Ng’eno at Endebes before proceeding to Eldoret airstrip to refuel. He alleged that the fuel had been transported from Lodwar by a pickup truck.
He further claimed that vigilant officials noticed the vehicle and impounded it, subsequently questioning its driver.
Gachagua did not provide publicly verifiable evidence to substantiate the allegations but maintained that the circumstances surrounding the deaths deserved to be investigated thoroughly.
He called for an independent inquest to establish the facts and address lingering questions, arguing that the families and the public deserved clear answers.
The former Deputy President’s remarks are likely to reignite debate over the deaths and the government’s handling of information surrounding high-profile cases.
