Gachagua: Ruto kicked me out for resisting plan to split Mountain
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua during a press interview at the home of former Kakamega senator Cleophas Malala in Makunga, Navakholo in Kakamega County on December 29, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Mr Gachagua revealed how he told President Ruto that it was not possible to divide the Mountain people.
- "I defied his attempts to disintegrate the region and he had me kicked out of his government," he said.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Friday, January 3 lashed out at President William Ruto and vowed not to allow him to divide Mt Kenya region.
Mr Gachagua also revealed that he fell out with Dr Ruto when he prevented him from splitting the region.
"The President wanted to divide the region in two, East and West, but I told him off. That is why he forced me out of the government," he said.
The West of the region is a general reference to Central Kenya, while the East is made up of Meru, Embu, and Tharaka Nithi counties.
Mr Gachagua revealed how he told President Ruto that it was not possible to divide the Mountain people.
"I defied his attempts to disintegrate the region and he had me kicked out of his government," he said.
He warned that Mt Kenya will be “finished" if the residents agree to go in different directions.
"Our strength is our unity and we should remain solid," he said.
Mr Gachagua was impeached last October and replaced as Deputy President by Prof Kithure Kindiki, who comes from Tharaka Nithi County in what some analysts saw as an attempt to divide the region.
Speaking during the funeral service of the late Eric Mutugi 41, the son of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti at Kanyuambora Secondary School playground in Mbeere, Mr Gachagua swore that attempts by the Head of State to divide the Mountain will be met with strong resistance.
"I will not let the President mess up our region, I want to make sure that Mt Kenya remains intact to be able to bargain for the share of our national cake," said Mr Gachagua.
The former Deputy President stressed that following his impeachment, the Mountain was united more than ever before.
"Because of what the President did to me our people are more united. Our people are wise enough and will never agree to support anyone blindly once again. They have learnt a bitter lesson which they will not forget," he said.
He told Mt Kenya residents not to panic over his ouster, promising to give them political direction this month.
"Don't worry, I will soon tell you the political route to follow and you will not regret it," he said.
Mr Gachagua said he had listened to elders, church leaders, professionals, and business people and he would give a comprehensive political statement.
"I don't want my people to fall into the same hole again. I must guide them properly before the 2027 polls," he said.
He took issue with Mt Kenya MPs who impeached him.
"The MPs were cheated that I'm the problem and they agreed to fight one of their own. They are now regretting it. They will face the wrath of the Mountain come next elections," he said.
At the same time, Mr Gachagua accused Dr Ruto's government of thriving in lies.
"The government is saying that they don't know who is abducting our children. These are lies. We demand that a young man Billy Munyiri Mwangi, who was abducted in broad daylight in Embu, be released. We want him produced dead or alive," he said.
Former Meru Governor Kiraitu Murungi lamented that Mt Kenya East has been given a raw deal in terms of development and appointments.
"This Mountain is frightening people, it should be flattened so that we can be seen and be given what is rightful ours," he said.
Earlier the mourners rejected the President's messages of condolences, temporarily causing tension in the service.
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi had stood up to read the messages when the mourners rose in protest.The mourners said they were not interested in the speech and told Mr Muturi to sit down.
Consequently, Mr Muturi handed over the envelope containing the presidential condolence messages to Kivuti's family.
As he gave out the speech, the mourners cheered and clapped loudly as the clergy watched in disbelief. Anglican Archbishop Jackson Ole Sapit prayed for an end to abductions in the country.
While presiding over the funeral service, Archbishop Ole Sapit said for peace to prevail, there should be no more mysterious disappearance of Kenyans.
Mr Mutugi, the firstborn child of Mr Kivuti, died after a short illness. The Information Technology consultant is survived by a wife and two children.
The late Mutugi was laid to rest at Kivuti's Kanyuambora rural home in the area.
Local MPs Eric Muchangi (Runyenjes), Gitonga Mukunji (Manyatta) Nebart Muriuki (Mbeere South), and Geoffrey Ruku were in attendance. Others present were Embu Woman Representative Njoki Njeru and Senator Alexander Mundigi.
NAP-K leader Eugene Wamalwa warned that Kenyans will hold demonstrations across the country if the abducted youth will not have been released alive.
"If the abducted youth will not be found alive the government will be held accountable," said Mr Wamalwa.
