Public Service Cabinet Secretary (CS) Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua visited his grandmother during ongoing Mbeere North by-election campaigns.
The rumors emerged after Gachagua conducted a door-to-door campaign in the constituency on Monday, November 17, visiting various homes. Photos of the visit went viral, with some reports claiming one of the houses belonged to CS Ruku’s grandmother.
Ruku, however, denied the allegations, stating that both his parents and grandmother passed away long ago. Speaking at a rally in Muminji, Ruku said, “Riggy G, stop lying to people that yesterday morning you woke up and went to the grandmother of Ruku. That is nonsense. The people of Muminji know my parents passed away a long time ago. Can my grandmother really be alive?”
He also criticized media outlets for spreading what he termed false narratives. “I saw Citizen TV highlighting these issues. They are used to lying to Kenyan people, and we want to tell them from here in Muminji not to bring their attitude and enmity to us in Mbeere North,” Ruku added.
The by-elections, scheduled for November 27, have seen heightened political activity in the area. Gachagua is campaigning vigorously for the Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Karish, while CS Ruku, alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, leads the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) campaign for Leonard Muthende, who is seeking to succeed Ruku in the constituency.
Both campaigns have been employing door-to-door visits and rallies to engage voters ahead of the polls. Gachagua’s team is joined by United Opposition leaders, while UDA’s team continues to consolidate support for Muthende.
The winner of the Mbeere North by-election will fill the seat vacated by CS Ruku following his Cabinet appointment, replacing former MP Justin Muturi, who also hails from the area. With campaigns intensifying, the constituency is expected to witness a closely contested race.
