Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of orchestrating efforts to block his recent political rallies in Meru County. Gachagua, who spoke during a church service in Rwarera, claimed that Ruto used Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki and several Meru legislators to sponsor youth to disrupt his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) meetings over the weekend.
Gachagua alleged that Kindiki gave Members of Parliament Ksh.3 million each to mobilize youth to chase him and his allies away and cause chaos in areas such as Imenti and Tuskys. He further claimed that in Tigania East, machetes and arrows were distributed to youth to intimidate attendees of his rallies.
Despite the alleged sabotage, Gachagua maintained that the rallies proceeded, with youths chanting anti-Ruto slogans such as “one-term”—a reference to the growing opposition to Ruto’s anticipated 2027 re-election bid. “They are welcoming us with songs everywhere we go in Meru,” he said.
Gachagua, who was impeached in October following a fallout with President Ruto, declared that the president has lost the political backing of the influential Mt Kenya voting bloc. “Forget this Mountain. It is gone forever. You lost them, and should not include them in your 2027 game plan,” he asserted.
He added that he had previously warned Ruto about alienating the region through unfulfilled promises and political betrayal, sentiments that now resonate with voters in Central Kenya.
Accompanied by former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, another recent Ruto critic, Gachagua also accused the president of trying to control the church. He claimed that clergy from the AICPA denomination were summoned to State House and warned against hosting him.
“Ruto has become so desperate that he wants to control the church. It is the highest form of dictatorship,” Gachagua declared, warning that intimidation tactics would not silence dissent in the Mt Kenya region.
The remarks highlight the deepening political rift between President Ruto and his former deputy as the 2027 electoral race looms.
