Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again taken on President William Ruto, accusing him of betraying the Mt. Kenya region and planning to weaken its leadership and economic strength.
Speaking at a gathering in AIPCA Igembe North, Meru County, Gachagua did not hold back as he tore into the president’s alleged schemes, warning the people of Meru that they were being systematically sidelined.
Gachagua claimed that Ruto, together with powerful figures in State House, is targeting the region’s leaders to ensure no strong voices remain to challenge his rule.
He argued that once the political leadership is neutralized, the next step would be to weaken businesses and economic ventures that sustain the region. He painted a picture of a deliberate strategy to erode Mt. Kenya’s influence in national politics and decision-making.
One of the key issues Gachagua raised was the alleged plan to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome. He argued that this was not just an attack on the judiciary but a larger plot to diminish the power of the region.
He accused Ruto of bribing people in the judiciary to facilitate Koome’s removal, warning that if the plan succeeds, Meru and the wider Mt. Kenya region would lose one of its strongest defenders.
Gachagua was firm in his message, telling Ruto that if he proceeds with the plan against Koome, he should not bother visiting Meru again. His statement was met with applause from the crowd, who seemed to share his concerns about the region’s growing marginalization under Ruto’s administration.
He did not spare Meru leaders either, accusing Members of Parliament from the region of betraying their people. He alleged that they had been summoned and coerced into aligning with the president, abandoning their duty to defend their constituents.
According to Gachagua, these leaders had chosen self-preservation over standing up for the people who elected them, making them complicit in the alleged scheme to undermine Mt. Kenya.
Another major issue he raised was the fate of miraa farmers. Gachagua reminded the people of Meru how Ruto had campaigned in the region, even chewing miraa publicly to show his support for the crop.
He questioned why, despite those public displays, the president had done little to improve the miraa trade. He accused Ruto of using theatrics to win votes but failing to deliver on his promises once in power.
His remarks, especially when he asked, “Si alikuwa anakuja hapa juu ya gari anakula miraa?” sparked laughter and applause, as many in the crowd recalled Ruto’s campaign antics.
Gachagua emphasized that the people of Meru should not allow themselves to be used and discarded, urging them to hold the president accountable for his pledges.
His attack on Ruto comes at a time of increasing political tension in the country, with divisions within the ruling coalition becoming more evident.
Gachagua’s defiance signals a continued battle for control of the Mt. Kenya political base, setting the stage for further confrontations between him and the president.
