Gachagua Blasts Mt. Kenya MPs, Accuses Them of Betrayal and Blind Loyalty to President Ruto
“When the history of this community is written, these MPs will have an entire chapter dedicated to the most foolish leaders ever elected in Mount Kenya,”
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Photo/Daily Nation.
By Gidion Ngeno
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on Members of Parliament from the Mount Kenya region, accusing them of blindly following President William Ruto and facilitating efforts to undermine his public engagements.
Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Gatumbi Church in Lari Constituency, Kiambu County, on Sunday, Gachagua alleged that several MPs aligned with the President have been using government resources to sponsor youth-led disruptions at his events. He claimed these disruptions are aimed at embarrassing him and stifling dissent within the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“How foolish are you, Members of Parliament from this region?” Gachagua asked during his address. “William Ruto is laughing at you. While he’s appointing people from his community into key institutions like the military, police, NYS, and KRA, you’re busy throwing stones at your own people for pocket change.”
The former second-in-command did not mince his words, calling out the MPs for allegedly accepting bribes to instigate political tension in exchange for short-term rewards.
“Our youth are being given small money and alcohol to cause violence at meetings. After they’re done throwing stones, they take the money and drink. This is what our leaders have reduced them to,” he said.
Mounting Tensions Within Kenya Kwanza
Gachagua’s comments come amid growing public friction between him and President Ruto, as the Mount Kenya bloc increasingly questions its representation and stake within the ruling administration. While the region delivered a substantial vote for Kenya Kwanza in the 2022 general elections, local leaders have recently voiced discontent over what they perceive as being sidelined in state appointments and economic priorities.
“When the history of this community is written, these MPs will have an entire chapter dedicated to the most foolish leaders ever elected in Mount Kenya,” Gachagua continued. “You are an embarrassment to the people of this region.”
His remarks have sparked reactions within political circles, with some allies defending President Ruto’s record, while others have acknowledged that internal cracks in the coalition are becoming more visible.
Criticism of President Ruto’s Apology to Gen Z
Gachagua also dismissed President Ruto’s recent apology to the youth, particularly Generation Z, over alleged abductions and police brutality during recent protests. Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast, President Ruto had asked for forgiveness and vowed to listen more to young Kenyans, who have increasingly used social media to hold leaders accountable.
But Gachagua said the apology lacked substance and sincerity.
“How do you apologise casually for abductions and killings? There’s no ‘if’ people were abducted—it happened. If you’re serious, bring the parents of those children, offer a proper apology, and compensate them,” he said.
“Ruto’s apology was a good start, but it’s not enough. There must be closure. Families who lost loved ones deserve justice and compensation. That’s the only way we can heal and move forward.”
Political Dynamics in Mount Kenya
Mount Kenya remains a critical voting bloc in Kenya’s political landscape, and internal power struggles within Kenya Kwanza could have significant implications for the 2027 general elections. Gachagua, once considered a key ally of President Ruto, has in recent months positioned himself as a vocal defender of regional interests, amid whispers of political betrayal and marginalisation.
Political analysts suggest that the current discord reflects deeper frustrations over governance priorities, regional equity in appointments, and unmet expectations among constituents.
Gachagua’s increasingly confrontational tone signals a shift in the dynamics of Kenya Kwanza politics and may foreshadow a broader pushback from Mount Kenya leaders seeking to redefine their role in the coalition.
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