Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua addressing the press on August 26, 2026 . [Wilberforce Okwiri, Standard]
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused the government of withholding more than 200,000 gas cylinders allegedly seized from small-scale LPG traders and demanded an explanation over their whereabouts.
Gachagua claimed some of the cylinders taken during government-led enforcement operations were later diverted to private LPG businesses and were allegedly distributed by the government in the run-up to the Ol Kalou by-election.
Speaking at his Karen residence on Wednesday, Gachagua alleged that the seizures took place between June and October 2025 in Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado and Machakos counties.
He claimed a police unit led by a Chief Inspector of Police and 25 other officers carried out the operations under the private supervision of a private citizen.
“Between June and October 2025, this vigilante group operating with impunity, raided Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, and Machakos small-scale gas retailers; using private vehicles and lorries, they took away with them over 200,000 gas cylinders,” Gachagua said.
He alleged that the operations were conducted without inventories being prepared, Occurrence Book entries made or traders being taken to court.
“Where are these 200,000 gas cylinders?” he asked.