Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of disrespecting the electorate that brought him to power. Speaking during a church service at Bahati Church in Ichamara, Mukurwe-ini, Nyeri County, Gachagua did not mince words in criticising Ruto’s approach to handling dissenting opinions and the growing disenchantment among voters in the Mt. Kenya region.
Gachagua’s remarks come amid rising political tensions and growing concerns over the unity of the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region ahead of the next election cycle. His comments were a direct response to President Ruto’s handling of controversial government policies, particularly his alleged habit of insulting Kenyans who oppose these policies. “If nothing else, respect this community for their kindness towards you,” Gachagua told the President, adding, “You now have new friends, but your work is to take them to rallies to insult and lecture us, calling us stupid.”
The former deputy president urged Ruto to listen to Kenyans’ views instead of dismissing them with derogatory comments. “Wakitoa maoni yao, hakuna haja kuwatukana skiza tu, hata kama hupendi,” he said, using the Kikuyu phrase to emphasize the need for dialogue. “Hakuna haja ya kusema ati wako na mapepo (there’s no need to say they are possessed). When it comes to this issue of cattle, there’s no need to call people stupid, especially those who voted for you.”
Gachagua further accused Ruto of labelling a group of central region politicians as tribalists, a remark he considered particularly unfair given the overwhelming support from the Mt. Kenya region during the previous election. “Don’t insult us or call us tribalists,” he said. “We voted for you even though you are not from our tribe. That alone shows we are not tribalists.”
The former deputy president’s criticism extended beyond just policy disagreements. Gachagua also accused the government of orchestrating an attack on him in Limuru on November 28, alleging that it was a clear assassination attempt by using Kikuyu youths to create the impression of an internal community conflict. “The attack was a clear assassination attempt orchestrated by the government, using Kikuyu youths to make it look like the community is fighting itself,” he claimed. Despite what he described as sufficient evidence, Gachagua criticized the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja for failing to prosecute those responsible.
“These people are known, and they haven’t been arrested if this wasn’t planned by the government?” he asked. “Instead, my allies are constantly harassed to cover up what happened in Limuru.” Gachagua’s accusations reflect a deep sense of grievance and mistrust within the Mt. Kenya region, which has seen its leaders humiliated and marginalized in recent months.
Gachagua emphasized that betrayal was a taboo in the Mt. Kenya region, insisting that the current administration has failed to live up to its promises and has let down the electorate. “In this community, betrayal is a taboo, an abomination. It is one act that is never forgiven there is no remedy,” he said, signaling his determination to lead a political resurgence in Central Kenya.
The former deputy president has promised to make a major political announcement in January 2025, aimed at restoring the region’s dignity and independence. “Come next year, I will make an announcement as per the wishes of the people of Mt. Kenya,” Gachagua said. “Be assured that we will regain our dignity as a community.”
Gachagua’s remarks underscore the ongoing tension and dissatisfaction in the Mt. Kenya region, which has seen its leaders increasingly vocal in their criticisms of the Ruto administration. The region, traditionally a major political and economic force in Kenya, has been facing challenges related to the implementation of government policies, especially those that have been seen as favoring other parts of the country. The former deputy president’s call for respect and acknowledgment of the electorate’s contributions is not just about political strategy it is a message about the need for a more inclusive and respectful governance approach.
As political analysts closely watch the unfolding situation, the central question remains: Can the President and his team successfully navigate the complex dynamics of Mt. Kenya’s politics without alienating a significant portion of the electorate? With the next election cycle looming, the stakes are high, and the rhetoric from leaders like Gachagua suggests a region ready to assert its voice and fight for its place within the national landscape.
