NAIROBI, Kenya- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has launched a sharp attack on his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of undermining the Kenya Kwanza administration and warning that he will not allow him to dominate the political conversation in the Mount Kenya region.
Kindiki’s remarks came a day after he and Gachagua exchanged increasingly pointed statements over their political relationship and the future of the region ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Deputy President dismissed Gachagua’s criticism of his voice, saying the former DP’s focus on personal attacks reflected a lack of substantive contribution to political debate.
“Talking about my voice is the only contribution your emptiness and incompetence can make in matters politics, policy and leadership,” Kindiki said.
He then turned to Gachagua’s political record, criticising his previous service as a District Officer, Mathira MP and Deputy President.
Kindiki rejects claims over alcohol policy
Kindiki also revisited disagreements that emerged during his tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary, particularly claims that he interfered with Gachagua’s efforts to address the alcohol problem.
He said he was focused on security matters and did not engage in political battles during his time at the Interior Ministry.
“As Interior Minister during the two years of your colourless tenure, I never involved myself in politics even for a day,” he said.
Kindiki said his priorities included combating banditry, terrorism and other forms of crime, while rejecting Gachagua’s account of their differences over alcohol regulation.
The issue of alcohol control had featured in the 2024 impeachment proceedings against Gachagua.
The National Assembly’s impeachment charges included an allegation that he had interfered with the functions of county governments, including alcohol control and regulation.
Kindiki says he tried to help Gachagua
Kindiki also claimed that he had privately tried to persuade Gachagua to repair his relationship with President William Ruto before their fallout escalated.
The Deputy President has previously made similar claims, saying he held private meetings with Gachagua while serving as Interior CS and advised him to remain loyal to Ruto.
On Saturday, Kindiki warned that he could disclose details of those meetings if Gachagua continued attacking him. He said he had kept what he described as a “dossier” of the conversations.
Gachagua was removed from the Deputy President’s office in October 2024 after the National Assembly and Senate backed his impeachment. Kindiki, who was then Interior CS, was subsequently nominated and sworn in as Deputy President on November 1, 2024.
Battle for Mount Kenya
The latest exchange is increasingly centred on the political direction of the Mount Kenya region ahead of 2027.
Gachagua has positioned himself as a leading opposition figure and has been building the Democratic Congress Party (DCP) as a political vehicle in the region and beyond.
On Sunday, Gachagua accused Kindiki of allowing himself to be used by Ruto to divide Mount Kenya and urged him to stop supporting what he described as efforts to fragment the region.
“If you really want me to be your brother, please stop being used by William Ruto to divide the Mountain because it will hurt us,” Gachagua said in Gatundu South.
Kindiki, meanwhile, has insisted that he considers Gachagua his brother based on the shared identity of the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and Mbeere communities.
He has also made clear that the relationship will not prevent him from challenging Gachagua politically.
The increasingly public confrontation reflects a wider struggle for influence in Mount Kenya as political alliances take shape ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kindiki ended his latest response with a message that appeared aimed at Gachagua’s assessment of his political strength.
“I like the way you under-estimate me,” he said.
