Royal Media Services (RMS) Group Editorial and Strategy Director Linus Kaikai has denied claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua attempted to have Citizen TV journalist Trevor Ombija fired from the media company.
Kaikai issued the clarification on Saturday, September 19, after remarks by Ombija at a political rally in Nyakach circulated online and were reported by media outlets.
Ombija, who is seeking the Nyakach parliamentary seat in the 2027 General Election, had claimed that Gachagua made calls seeking his dismissal after the two clashed during a television interview earlier this year.
Kaikai directly rejected the claim in a post on X.
“Trevor’s statement is not true. There was no such call from former DP Gachagua,” he wrote.
He added that such a call would not have influenced the media company. “Such a call would in any case not be worthwhile at RMS.”
Kaikai’s remarks provide the latest account from a senior RMS executive and directly contradict Ombija’s allegation.
Ombija made the allegation on Friday, September 18, while addressing supporters during a political gathering in Nyakach.
The Citizen TV journalist claimed that Gachagua had attempted to have him removed from his job because of their confrontation during an interview.
“As you see me standing here, Gachagua had made calls to try and get me fired from my job because we confronted each other,” Ombija said.
He made the remarks while explaining his decision to support President William Ruto as he begins his campaign for the Nyakach parliamentary seat.
Ombija said the alleged attempt to have him dismissed followed the tense interview he conducted with Gachagua in March 2026.
Kaikai also revealed that he spoke directly to Ombija after the remarks became public.
According to Kaikai, the journalist acknowledged that his statement was a mistake and expressed regret.
“I have asked Trevor about the remarks and he says it is ‘a mistake and I regret it’,” Kaikai wrote.
Kaikai further said Ombija told him he did not expect the remarks to attract attention.
“Trevor has also told me he ‘didn’t think the remarks would be picked up.’”
Kaikai did not provide further details about the conversation with Ombija or explain whether any internal action would follow the controversy.
Ombija’s allegation centred on his March 2026 interview with Gachagua, which became heated during the broadcast. Gachagua accused the journalist of bias and questioned the manner in which the interview was conducted.
“Trevor, you have been very biased in this show, which has been very unprofessional,” Gachagua said during the exchange.
The former Deputy President also questioned why he had accepted an invitation to what he called a “tribal show” while discussing allegations of tribal politics.
Ombija maintained during the exchange that Gachagua had requested the interview.
The confrontation subsequently became the basis for Ombija’s claim that Gachagua attempted to have him removed from RMS.
During the Nyakach rally where he made the disputed remarks, Ombija also explained his support for Ruto.
“But only Ruto has stood with us. Is it two terms or not? That is why I am standing with him because I know his agenda,” he said.
Gachagua’s Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) also responded to the controversy.
The party described Ombija’s remarks as politically motivated and questioned his explanation that they were a mistake.
