The Mountain Will Not Split: Gachagua Defiantly Rejects Plots to Divide Mount Kenya Vote Bloc
Politics Updated: 19 July 2026 21:22 EAT
Photo courtesy: Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a Church Service; St. Thomas Cathedral, Kirinyaga
In an explosive address that has sent shockwaves through the country's political landscape, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a stinging indictment of President William Ruto's administration, accusing the head of state of deep betrayal and orchestrating a major national security crisis.
Speaking during a church service at the ACK St. Thomas Cathedral in Kerugoya, Kirinyaga Central Constituency, Gachagua pulled no punches as he laid bare the widening rift between himself and his former boss, portraying a government that has turned its back on the very citizens who voted it into power.
The former second-in-command began his speech by embracing his deep historical roots in Kirinyaga County, expressing gratitude to the congregation and local leadership for their steadfast support. He recalled his formative years studying at Kianyaga High School from 1978 to 1983, declaring himself a proud "son of Kirinyaga" whose political and family foundations were built in the region.
However, the nostalgic reflections quickly gave way to a fierce, unrelenting political onslaught against President Ruto. Gachagua openly accused the President of using religious pretense to manipulate the electorate before ultimately betraying the trust of the Kenyan people.
"This man Ruto thinks he is very clever," Gachagua told the congregation. "He lied to the people using the Holy Bible, thinking that the population would remain blind forever. But our people are awake, and they have seen through the deception."
Gachagua went on to describe how he previously sat down with President Ruto in private to warn him about the dangers of his political trajectory. He claimed that he foresaw the current public discontent and advised the head of state to change course before it was too late.
"When we were in office, I noticed he was losing direction and beginning to hurt the Mount Kenya community," Gachagua revealed. "I sat him down as an elder and told him, 'Mr. President, the path you are taking will bring you trouble ahead. You cannot take the votes of these people and then turn around to destroy their livelihoods.'"
According to the former Deputy President, his warnings were met with dismissal and arrogance, with the President allegedly claiming his vast political experience placed him above such advice. Gachagua asserted that the government's subsequent actions have only validated his initial fears.
In what is bound to be the most controversial segment of his address, Gachagua issued an unprecedented advisory to international stakeholders, cautioning foreign tourists and investors to stay away from Kenya due to what he described as state-sponsored anarchy.
"This country is no longer safe because there are just too many goons everywhere, and we do not want our visitors to be harmed," Gachagua stated emphatically. "I want to call upon tourists to suspend their visits to Kenya until next year, when we can finally sort out this administration and deal away with rogue policemen."
Turning his focus toward the economy, he extended the same warning to the international business community. "We are telling foreign investors between now and the next election to stay away from this country. Just stay away a little bit longer until we fix the mistakes we made," he added.
The former Deputy President laid the blame for the country's deteriorating security situation squarely at the feet of the Ministry of Interior. He accused top security officials of deploying armed goons and utilizing rogue elements within the police service to attack innocent citizens and disrupt democratic processes.
"We have a severe security crisis in the country where the minister in charge of security and the Principal Secretary are the ones leading goons and causing insecurity," Gachagua alleged. "Where do citizens report when the very police officers who are supposed to protect them are the ones attacking them with guns?"
Shifting his focus back to regional politics, Gachagua vehemently rejected ongoing attempts by political adversaries to splinter the populous Mount Kenya voting bloc. He insisted that the region remains politically unified and resolute despite efforts to introduce internal divisions.
"They are trying to divide Mount Kenya into East and West, but I am telling them that it is completely impossible," Gachagua declared. "The mountain vote is one, and it must stay as one. Once we stand united as a community, our voice cannot be ignored by anyone in this nation."
The Sunday sermon at the cathedral quickly transformed into a high-stakes political rally, highlighting the profound fragmentation within the political elite. Gachagua's bold pronouncements signal an escalation in his political warfare against the current administration as the country inches closer to the next general election.
As the congregation absorbed the gravity of his words, the former Deputy President concluded by urging the residents of Kirinyaga to remain vigilant and protect their community's dignity. The explosive remarks set the stage for an intense political showdown, marking a point of no return for the former political allies.
Tags: DCP DCP Leader Rigathi Gachagua Edit Editor's Pick Editors choice Gachagua Rigathi Gachagua Signs Signs Media Signs Media Kenya Limited Signs Tv Signsmedia Signstv Signstvkenya Signsv
Share this article
FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD