Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing critique of President William Ruto’s administration, accusing him of harassing Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi. The accusations stem from an incident during the funeral of Eric Mutugi, son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti, where mourners heckled Muturi as he prepared to read Ruto’s condolence message.
Speaking during a TikTok live session on Thursday, Gachagua alleged that President Ruto sent abusive messages to Muturi, accusing him of inciting the mourners. “It is unnecessary to harass Muturi. They’re saying he organised people to reject Ruto’s condolence message. That is not true. CS Muturi was abused by the president,” Gachagua claimed, highlighting the mounting tensions within the government.
The former DP attributed the incident to growing discontent among residents of Mt Kenya over what he termed as betrayal by Ruto’s administration. “It is the people of the mountain who rejected because of betrayal and deception,” Gachagua emphasized.
Muturi has been in the spotlight in recent weeks, particularly after questioning the government’s handling of abductions, a move that drew criticism from Ruto’s allies. Some of Ruto’s supporters have called for Muturi’s resignation, intensifying the political wrangling within the Kenya Kwanza regime.
Gachagua also warned other regions, particularly Western Kenya, against placing their trust in Ruto, citing Mt Kenya’s experience as a cautionary tale. “I want to tell Western Kenya to be careful. The president was here for five years and convinced us to vote for him. Now he doesn’t come here because we know he cheated and conned us,” he said.
The former DP further elaborated on recent meetings held at his Wamunyoro home, explaining that he was gathering public opinions to determine his next political steps. He stressed that these consultations were not endorsements but a commitment to people-centered decision-making. “I said I would consult extensively and thought by Jan 31st, I would have a good report to give to the people. It is quite challenging because of the number of views coming in,” he noted.
Gachagua’s remarks come amid increasing political uncertainty in Mt Kenya, as leaders seek to assert their influence and respond to growing public dissatisfaction. Whether his warnings will resonate with other regions remains to be seen, but the mounting discontent could signal turbulent times for Ruto’s administration.
