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Ruto condemns Kikuyu violence as opposition blames 'goon-police alliance'
President William Ruto hosts the Akorino Israel Thanksgiving Service at State House, Nairobi.
President William Ruto on Sunday intensified his feud with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, calling him a “political conman” and blaming him for the chaos witnessed during his Saturday political campaigns in Kikuyu constituency, Kiambu county.
The President said the violence pointed to certain political actors intent on dividing Kenyans for political gain, adding that such efforts would not succeed under his leadership.
Speaking at State House on Sunday during an Akorino thanksgiving service, the President said those orchestrating divisions would not prevail.
“There are people who want to be brokers, saying that you cannot visit State House without getting permission from them. The one who is saying that no one will be allowed to do anything without his permission who is he? That is a conman, someone who wants to be a slave trader and is abusing people,” President Ruto said.
His remarks came against the backdrop of chaotic scenes in Kikuyu town, where businesses were shut for most of the day during the rally.
Mr Gachagua had accused Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah of betraying the people of Mt Kenya by supporting the President.
But Dr Ruto said the greatest betrayal is dividing the country along tribal lines, spreading hatred and insulting others.
The President further said his administration is committed to accommodating all communities, both majority and minority groups.
“My plan is to ensure that we unite all the communities in Kenya. People from the Coast, Eastern, North Eastern, Mt Kenya, Rift Valley, Nyanza and Western regions will all be part of the government,” he said.
The President announced that he will continue touring different parts of the country to strengthen national unity, with his next visit scheduled for Kisii County, the home region of opposition presidential hopeful Dr Fred Matiang’i.
“For those who want to divide us, they will not succeed. My journey with the Akorino people started a long time ago. There are people who are pretending they started this friendship. I knew the Akorino people long before they were elected,” he said.
He also said those who disrespect leaders and engage in insults are unfit for leadership.
“If you are not patient enough to be led, then you are not made of the material to lead,” he said.
Mr Gachagua on Sunday launched a scathing on the government, accusing it of using State machinery to disrupt United Opposition political rallies.
Mr Gachagua condemned security agencies over the mayhem that rocked his rally in Kikuyu, where police fired tear gas at leaders and supporters after hours of tension that had earlier seen roads to the town allegedly barricaded by goons.
“The State has reassembled a 12-officer police killer squad that attacked us in Witima several months ago but enjoys immunity from prosecution. It is the same squad that attacked us in Kikuyu on Saturday,” the former DP said.
He further turned his criticism on President Ruto, describing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen as unfit to lead the docket ahead of the 2027 elections.
Accompanied by DAPK leader Eugene Wamalwa, Jubilee presidential candidate and former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, Senators Samuel Seki (Kajiado), Dan Maanzo (Makueni), John Kinyua (Laikipia), Karungo wa Thang’wa (Kiambu), and several MPs and MCAs, Gachagua spoke in Kajiado Central during a church service at Pefa Works Church on Sunday.
“We respect the Constitution. Bad as you are, terrible as you are, much as you have ruined the country, we are still reasonable enough to know this is a country governed by the rule of law. We are willing to wait the remaining 14 months to remove you through the ballot. Do not create a situation where Kenyans remove you outside the ballot,” he said.
Mr Wamalwa also accused police of forming an alliance with goons to disrupt opposition rallies across the country.
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua addressing his supporters in Kikuyu Town along the Southern Bypass on April 11, 2026 before the rally was by disrupted by Anti-Riot Police officers.
Dr Matiang’i, who served in the same docket under the Uhuru Kenyatta administration, criticised his successor, saying the ministry has been politicised.
“There is something in the security sector called a threat profile. Every morning, security chiefs brief the Interior CS on national threats. Your threat surely cannot be Rigathi Gachagua, who is simply speaking to his supporters. Deploying police and public resources to disrupt opposition rallies is a waste of public funds,” he said.
Kajiado Senator Samuel Seki said state machinery had been deployed to disrupt roadside rallies in Isinya, Kiserian, and Ngong, adding that tension remained high in the region.
“Kajiado is among counties with many unfulfilled promises by the Ruto administration. We are aware that goons and police have been deployed to disrupt our rallies, but we are ready for them,” he said.
But Kajiado County police boss Alexander Shikondi denied the claims.
“ It is unfortunate for any Kenyan to face the world and lie that national police Service in this area can plan and execute criminal violence against Kenyans. That is not part of our mandate. It is even morally wrong to publicly name and shame serving officers by their real names claiming that they are either accomplices in or executors of goonism.
“And it becomes even more intriguing when the recipients of said criminal attacks won't record official complaints to help us investigate. Like today I heard some in churches say we, including I met in a hotel to plan violence against them. That is not true,” Mr Shikondi said.
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