Gachagua: There is no rift between me and Uhuru

NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted rumors of a rift with retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, praising the latter's administration and criticizing the current government led by William Ruto. Gachagua argued that Uhuru completed his constitutional term and left behind a stable country, while Ruto's administration has caused damage and continued to insult Uhuru in Parliament.

He accused Ruto of using Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung'wah to attack Uhuru, claiming that Ichung'wah had spent 17 minutes criticizing the former President during Gachagua's absence in the United States.

Gachagua accused Ruto of turning against those who helped him rise to power, stating that he had previously been discarded and that Ruto now employs Ichung'wah to do the same. He accused the President of attempting to extend political intimidation into places of worship, alleging that a church minister at Kamangu had been threatened over hosting Gachagua.

Gachagua questioned why his removal from government had led to attempts to exclude him from churches, arguing that his removal and subsequent church harassment were part of a larger campaign to intimidate the Kikuyu community and interfere with religious affairs.

He further accused Ruto of failing to respect religious institutions, recalling the 2007 Kiambaa church attack during post-election violence when people seeking refuge in a church were killed. Gachagua expressed disappointment over the use of the Kikuyu constituency for political intimidation, citing cases of discrimination, false charges, and targeted attacks on Kikuyu businesses and homes.

He also criticized Ichung'wah for participating in the persecution of the Kikuyu community and defending the President while failing to speak out against community mistreatment. Gachagua warned that he would continue speaking out against perceived discrimination and intimidation in the Mount Kenya region, rejecting accusations of tribalism.