Former Runyenjes MP Njeru Gathangu has described an encounter he had with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) running mate Rigathi Gachagua inside the Nyayo House torture chambers 32 years ago where he (Gathangu) was in detention for fifteen days, together with Prof Isaac Kariuki and the late firebrand Kitutu Chache MP MP Hon George Anyona.
”On July 11 when George Anyona, Prof Ngotho Kariuki, and myself were arrested and detained for 15 days at the infamous Nyayo House torture chambers, we were handed over to an interrogator called James Opiyo. He asked us to remain calm and wait to be served our ‘dose’ which Nyayo House was known for,” Gathangu, who was first kicked from the Kenya Airforce following the aborted1982 coup wrote online.
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” Later on, a mean-looking man walked in and handed him a list of questions to ask us. That young man was none other than Mr. Rigathi Gachagua, who threw menacing eyes at us and banged the door as he left. With regards to his nomination to be Ruto’s DP, the less said the better,” he added.
Geroge Anyona while in FORD led by Oginga Odinga was among the Young Turks fighting President Moi’s dictatorship and pushing for multi-party democracy in the country.
Raila Odinga, Kiraitu Murungi, James Orengo, Gitobu Imanayara, Anyang Nyonyo were also members of the FORD Young Turks.
On July 11th, 1990 , Anyona was arrested at a Nairobi pub together with Prof Isaac Ngotho Kariuki and Njeru Gathangu, and the three later charged with sedition.
Before serving as a DO, Rigathi Gachagua was an agent with the then National Intelligence Service and Special Branch officers responsible for feeding President Moi with intel on dissidents.