Former Kenyan Vice President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked widespread controversy after publicly calling on former United States President Donald Trump to carry out a military operation in Kenya similar to the recent American intervention in Venezuela. The remarks have intensified political tensions in Kenya and raised serious questions about sovereignty, international law, and the deepening rift within the country’s top political leadership.
Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday, January 6, 2026, during a series of public engagements held in Kipipiri, located in Nyandarua County. Speaking before local residents and political supporters, the former deputy president accused senior Kenyan figures of involvement in large-scale international corruption and claimed that Kenya’s justice system is incapable of holding them accountable.
His statements came only days after reports emerged that, under orders from Donald Trump, U.S. special forces carried out a military operation in Venezuela, arresting President Nicolás Maduro and his wife. The Venezuelan leaders were reportedly transferred to the United States to face charges related to drug trafficking and terrorism. That operation has since triggered global debate over the legality of unilateral military interventions.
Gachagua directly referenced the Venezuelan case as a model he believes should be replicated in Kenya. According to him, powerful individuals connected to the Kenyan presidency have benefited from stolen funds originating from the United States, making the matter an international criminal issue rather than a purely domestic one.
At the center of Gachagua’s claims is a long-running corruption case involving COVID-19 relief funds from Minnesota, United States. The funds were originally allocated to support vulnerable children during the pandemic but were allegedly misappropriated and laundered through real estate investments across several countries, including Kenya.
U.S. authorities have already charged 47 individuals in connection with the Minnesota fraud scheme. Gachagua alleges that some Kenyan nationals implicated in the case have close personal and political ties to President William Ruto, making it difficult for domestic institutions to pursue justice independently.
He specifically pointed to properties in Eastleigh, Nairobi, an area known for rapid real estate development, claiming that several high-value buildings were purchased using proceeds from the American fraud scheme. According to Gachagua, some business documents related to those properties allegedly link back to individuals who are close associates of President Ruto.
Gachagua expressed little confidence in Kenya’s legal and judicial processes, arguing that suspects would be shielded through political influence if conventional legal routes were followed. He therefore urged Trump to bypass the courts entirely and take direct action.
“Do not go through the courts,” Gachagua said during his address. “Do what you did in Venezuela. Send aircraft, arrest the individuals, and take them to face justice.”
The statement has drawn sharp reactions across Kenya’s political landscape. Legal experts warn that such calls undermine the country’s sovereignty and violate principles of international law. Diplomats and analysts have also cautioned that any military action by a foreign power on Kenyan soil would severely damage bilateral relations and destabilize the region.
The remarks also highlight the deep and public fallout between Gachagua and President Ruto, once close political allies. Their relationship began to deteriorate shortly after the 2022 elections and reached a breaking point in October 2024, when Gachagua was removed from the position of Vice President after just two years in office.
Since his removal, Gachagua has become one of Ruto’s most vocal critics, frequently accusing the administration of corruption, abuse of power, and suppression of accountability. His latest comments mark a significant escalation in rhetoric, moving from political criticism to openly inviting foreign military intervention.
Observers note that the former vice president’s message appears aimed at international audiences as much as domestic ones. By invoking U.S. law enforcement and Trump’s controversial foreign policy approach, Gachagua is framing Kenya’s corruption challenges as a global security and justice issue rather than an internal political dispute.
However, critics argue that such framing is dangerous and reckless. Civil society organizations in Kenya have condemned the remarks, emphasizing that reform and accountability must be pursued through constitutional means, not through external force.
The Kenyan government has not issued an official response to Gachagua’s statements, but political insiders suggest the comments have caused discomfort within both government and diplomatic circles. Kenya remains a key U.S. ally in East Africa, particularly in security and counter-terrorism cooperation, making the idea of a military intervention highly implausible.
International law specialists stress that the Venezuelan case itself remains controversial and unresolved, with many countries condemning it as a violation of national sovereignty. Applying a similar approach to Kenya would likely provoke regional instability and international backlash.
Despite the criticism, Gachagua has defended his stance, insisting that extraordinary measures are necessary when institutions fail. He maintains that corruption linked to international funds cannot be addressed by systems compromised by political loyalty.
As Kenya heads into an increasingly polarized political period, Gachagua’s remarks are expected to fuel further debate over governance, accountability, and the limits of political dissent. Whether his call resonates beyond his supporters remains uncertain, but it has undeniably pushed Kenya’s political discourse into unprecedented territory.
The coming weeks are likely to see intensified scrutiny of the allegations he raised, as well as renewed discussion on the role of international justice mechanisms in addressing cross-border corruption. What is clear is that Gachagua’s comments have added a new and volatile dimension to Kenya’s already complex political environment.
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