Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto and a group of Kiambu lawmakers of orchestrating a political crackdown against Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, escalating tensions in the Mount Kenya region barely a year before the 2027 general election.
In a lengthy statement issued Monday night, Gachagua claimed that Members of Parliament from Kiambu County confronted President Ruto at Sagana State Lodge on January 12, warning that they would withdraw political support unless decisive action was taken against Governor Wamatangi and the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), which Gachagua leads.
According to Gachagua, the MPs expressed frustration over Wamatangi’s growing popularity in Kiambu and the momentum of DCP meetings across the Mount Kenya region. He alleged that the lawmakers presented two “irreducible minimum” demands to the President, including the demolition of Wamatangi’s business premises in Nairobi and the initiation of corruption charges against the governor.
“They demanded that Governor Wamatangi must be cut to size,” Gachagua said, alleging that the MPs called for the destruction of the governor’s property and criminal investigations over what he described as “fictitious economic crimes.”
Gachagua further claimed that the lawmakers complained about the failure of “state-sponsored goons” to disrupt DCP meetings, blaming resistance from residents and a lack of full police backing. He alleged that the MPs demanded covert police involvement to ensure that no DCP gatherings take place in Kiambu or the wider Mount Kenya region.
The former deputy president said President Ruto was initially hesitant, warning that such actions could be counterproductive so close to an election cycle. However, Gachagua claimed the MPs insisted that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki shared their position and was only awaiting instructions.
“Cornered by the vicious MPs, Mr Ruto gave in to their demands,” Gachagua alleged.
He linked the claims to the overnight demolition of business premises associated with Governor Wamatangi along Aerodrome Road in Nairobi, alleging that vehicles belonging to customers were also destroyed in an operation he said was supervised by hundreds of police officers. There has been no official confirmation from the government or police regarding the circumstances of the demolition.
Gachagua also alleged that officers from the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission were holding consultations with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions with a view to charging Wamatangi, and that a special police unit was being formed to disrupt DCP activities. Neither the EACC nor the DPP has publicly commented on the claims.
In his statement, Gachagua framed the alleged actions as part of a broader political backlash against the Mount Kenya region, warning that attempts to intimidate the community would only strengthen opposition to President Ruto ahead of the 2027 election.
“The mountain has already made a decision,” he said, accusing unnamed leaders of betraying their community. “Betrayal has no remedy in the mountain. It is a taboo.”
Gachagua urged Kenyans to remain calm and defiant in the face of what he described as intimidation, while offering solidarity to Governor Wamatangi. “Take heart, remain focused and continue serving the people of Kiambu County,” he said.
State House, the Interior Ministry and Governor Wamatangi had not responded to requests for comment by the time of publication.
