Police Reveal Details of Shooting Targeting Ex-NIS Boss Stationed at Gachagua’s Office Amid Assassination Claims
Police have disclosed new details regarding the shooting of a former National Intelligence Service (NIS) officer, who is central to assassination allegations made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Patrick Gikonyo, previously the head of Intelligence for Nairobi County and the Central region, was transferred from the NIS to the Office of the Deputy President, where he now serves as an adviser.
Authorities reported that the shooting occurred on July 12 at approximately 9:45 pm, as Gikonyo was driving home. He was navigating his black Toyota Harrier along Suguta Road in Kileleshwa, Nairobi, when the incident unfolded.
Gikonyo had just left a restaurant in the Kileleshwa area and was on his way home when a lone gunman on a motorbike confronted him, according to the police.
The assailant demanded cash and other valuables from Gikonyo as he slowed down at a bump, then fired a shot. The bullet shattered the driver’s window, grazing Gikonyo’s right hand but missing him otherwise.
Gikonyo managed to drive to the hospital and reported the incident later. The gunman fled without stealing anything, police confirmed.
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Authorities are currently treating the incident as an attempted robbery, with no evidence suggesting it was an assassination attempt. No arrests have been made.
The shooting took place on the same day President William Ruto made significant changes within the National Police Service and Kenya Prisons Service.
Gikonyo has refrained from commenting on the situation, leaving the investigation details to the police.
Deputy President Gachagua claimed that the officer, who was helping combat alcohol and drug abuse on a task assigned by the President, was targeted.
Gachagua said he recruited the senior NIS officer to his office to investigate illicit alcohol and drug activities. He alleged that the officer was trailed and shot to intimidate him.
Gachagua expressed his dissatisfaction with how the incident was handled, stating that President Ruto was unaware of the details until he informed him. He criticized the lack of investigation into the shooting and the silence surrounding the matter during an interview with Kikuyu radio stations.
Police Reveal Details of Shooting Targeting Ex-NIS Boss Stationed at Gachagua’s Office Amid Assassination Claims