DP Kithure Kindiki and DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua. Photo/Collage
By Newsflash Writer
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has set conditions for reconciliation with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, accusing him of being used by President William Ruto to undermine efforts to unite the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua spoke on Sunday, August 16, during a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County, a day after Kindiki criticised him for what he described as arrogance and disrespect towards fellow leaders.
On Saturday, August 15, Kindiki, while addressing hundreds of Aembu elders in Nembure, Manyatta in Embu County, said Gachagua’s conduct had made it difficult for the two to relate as brothers.
“You don’t know what kind of a human being you are. Una dharau mkubwa wako, una dharau wale wengine, una dharau ndugu yako. Sasa wewe, how can the one man be the only right man in the whole world?” Kindiki said.
However, Gachagua said reconciliation would only be possible if Kindiki stopped supporting what he termed efforts by Ruto to undermine the interests of the Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua links brews to fallout
Gachagua cited the resurgence of illicit brews in the region as one of the main reasons for his strained relationship with Ruto and Kindiki.
“Every week we are burying ten youth due to consumption of illicit brews,” he said, adding that his campaign against the brews had contributed to his fallout with Ruto.
“My war against sale of illicit brews was one of the reasons why we fell out with President Ruto,” Gachagua said.
He accused Kindiki of helping Ruto sabotage the crackdown after he had succeeded in reducing the availability of the brews.
“Professor Kindiki, you can’t be my brother because you don’t mean well for us. When I finished illicit brews, Ruto called you and ordered you to sabotage that war. You ordered police to leave the war against those brews,” he said.
Gachagua claimed the brews had returned to Mt Kenya and were causing deaths and social problems among young people.
Read more: Kindiki rebukes Ruku over Embu road appeal
“I pestered you not to accept being used by Ruto to sabotage that war. Now, the brews are back and they are harming our people,” he said.
He further questioned why the brews were allegedly concentrated in Mt Kenya.
“That brew is only brought in Mt Kenya. You [Kindiki] joined hands with Ruto to harm our people through these killer brews. How then do you say I am your brother? How can I be my brother when you are killing my other brothers?”
“That brew is not in Rift Valley, Western, Nyanza or Coast?” he asked.
Unity condition for reconciliation
Gachagua challenged Kindiki to use his position to push Ruto to address the illicit brews if he genuinely wanted reconciliation.
“If you want to be my brother, when Ruto returns from Dubai, tell him that one of the main reasons the Mt Kenya locals have rejected him is due to the return of these killer brews,” he said.
“If Ruto wants to be at peace with the Mountain, he should wipe out those brews, as I had finished it.”
Gachagua also accused Kindiki of participating in efforts to divide Mt Kenya communities, saying such divisions would weaken their political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“The second problem I have with Kindiki is accepting to be used by Ruto to divide Mt Kenya region. Our strength is our unity. We will be finished if we allow ourselves to be divided. It’s only through unity that we shall defeat him; as the Kikuyus, the Aembu and Ameru.”
He also took issue with Kindiki’s meeting with Aembu elders on Saturday, claiming the Deputy President had given them money in an attempt to divide the region.
“Unfortunately, Kindiki is the one who is being used. Yesterday (Saturday), he was with the elders from the Embu community. He gave them money to divide the Mountain. The elders took money and when they reached their homes, they referred the money as that which was given to Ol Kalou locals.”
Read more: Kindiki to opposition: Brace for tough contest in 2027
Gachagua said the allegations demonstrated the depth of the political differences between the two leaders and suggested that reconciliation would require Kindiki to demonstrate independence from Ruto.
“Professor [Kindiki], if you really want me to be your brother, stop being used by Ruto to divide the Mountain because it will hurt us,” Gachagua said.
He concluded that emotional appeals from women and religious leaders had not yet persuaded him to accept Kindiki’s overtures.
“The tears of the women and the clergy are making it difficult for me to accept your overtures,” he said.
The exchange between the two leaders comes amid renewed political activity in Mt Kenya, with competing efforts to consolidate the region ahead of the 2027 elections. Gachagua has repeatedly called for unity among the Kikuyu, Embu and Meru communities, while Kindiki has been seeking to strengthen his political presence in the region.
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