Nairobi, Kenya — June 3, 2025
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on Members of Parliament from the Mount Kenya region, branding them as “the most foolish in history” for what he describes as blind allegiance to President William Ruto at the expense of their constituents.
Speaking during a public forum in Nyeri, Gachagua accused the MPs of abandoning their electoral mandate and failing to advocate for the region’s development needs. He alleged that instead of championing the interests of their people, the legislators have become political cheerleaders, rubber-stamping government policies that have disproportionately hurt their communities.
“These are not leaders; they are cowards. They have sold their souls for handouts and betrayed the trust of the people who elected them,” Gachagua declared to a cheering crowd. “Mount Kenya deserves better.”
Gachagua, who has maintained a combative stance against the Kenya Kwanza administration since his ouster from the deputy presidency, warned that the region risks economic and political marginalization if its leaders continue to prioritize loyalty over accountability.
While he did not name specific MPs, his comments were widely interpreted as a direct attack on several high-profile Mount Kenya legislators who have recently defended the government’s controversial Finance Bill and tax policies, despite rising public discontent.
Political analysts say Gachagua is positioning himself as the voice of dissent in the region, possibly laying the groundwork for a political comeback ahead of the 2027 general election. His remarks come amid growing frustration over increased cost of living, stalled infrastructure projects, and unfulfilled campaign promises in central Kenya.
In response, some Mount Kenya MPs have dismissed Gachagua’s criticism as hypocritical and divisive. “He had his chance in office and failed to deliver,” one legislator told Nairobi Wire. “Now he wants to rewrite history by blaming others.”
As tensions simmer, Gachagua’s remarks have reignited debates over leadership, loyalty, and regional unity within Kenya’s volatile political landscape. Whether his outspoken approach will resonate with voters or alienate him further from the political establishment remains to be seen.
