Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, warning him against any attempts to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office. Speaking in Meru on Sunday, Gachagua accused Ruto of plotting to oust Koome for refusing to align with the government’s interests, a move he vowed would not go unchecked.
In a passionate address, the ousted DP dared Ruto to proceed with the alleged plan, warning that he would no longer be welcome in Meru if Koome is removed. “She is being fought because she has refused to be a ‘yes sir’ person. If you chase our Martha Koome, don’t set foot in Meru. You chased Rigathi Gachagua, and the Mt. Kenya people were silent; you thought they were cowards,” he declared.
Gachagua challenged the President to engage in battles with his peers rather than targeting Koome, whom he described as an independent leader committed to upholding justice. “You fought with me because I am a man, but leave Martha Koome alone. She is a woman. Why are you fighting women? Can you fight your fellow men?” he questioned.
The former DP also took issue with Meru’s political leadership, accusing them of remaining silent while the alleged purge against Koome unfolds. He suggested that local leaders, including the county’s senator and MPs, had been compromised to support the government’s agenda. “Martha Koome is being chased out, and the senator is silent. All the 10 MPs are silent. What is happening to the people of Meru? These are the descendants of the Mau Mau. What has happened to the leadership of Meru?” he posed.
Gachagua further threatened to mobilize residents to protest if Koome is forced out of office, signaling a potential wave of resistance against the government’s actions in the Mt. Kenya region. “If she is removed, I will blow the whistle, and we will take to the streets. We are not going to sit back as William Ruto destroys the leadership of Mt. Kenya. It’s too much; it cannot be allowed,” he warned.
Since his impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua has become one of Ruto’s fiercest critics, accusing the President of betraying the Mt. Kenya region. His latest remarks add to the growing tension between him and the administration, as he continues to rally support against perceived injustices. The political showdown between the former allies is expected to shape future political alignments in Kenya.
