MBEERE NORTH, Kenya — Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his political rivalry with President William Ruto, delivering a scathing indictment of the Head of State’s State of the Nation address presented to Parliament on Thursday. Gachagua, the former Deputy President, summarily dismissed the speech as a “useless speech devoid of substance.”
Speaking during intense by-election campaigns in Mbeere North, Gachagua accused the President of resorting to theatrics instead of reporting on tangible progress.
He claimed the administration had severely mismanaged public resources and was presiding over a period marked by “lawlessness,” citing allegations of abductions and generalized insecurity that he argues undermines the credibility of the President’s message.
Allegations of misplaced funds and voter bribery
Gachagua specifically challenged the allocation of public funds in the local region, questioning the priorities of the current regime.
“I want to ask Ruto and Kindiki, why waste Ksh.500 million in Mbeere, a place where there is no water or electricity or roads? If you were nice people, you should have used the money to bring development to the people so that they remember you,” he said.
He further argued that the President’s remarks in Parliament failed to accurately reflect the pressing economic realities faced by ordinary Kenyans.
Addressing his supporters in Swahili, he scorned the address and criticized the government’s economic policies:
“Leo Kasongo ako Bunge kusomea watu barua refu ati asomee Wakenya kile amefanya na hajafanya. Ni uongo si uongo? Hakuna haja ya kumskiza. Alituambia atatuwekea pesa kwa mfuko na badala yake, ile kidogo tulikua nayo akachukua,” he remarked.
The DCP leader also leveled accusations of electoral malpractice against the ruling party, alleging that state-backed operatives were engaging in voter bribery and intimidation to coerce support for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Leonard Muthende.
“Nimeskia (Public Service CS Geoffrey) Ruku akiambia watu waende wapigie Muthende kura, kisha wapige picha alafu baadaye utatumiwa pesa. Hio ni uongo, hii uchaguzi ikiisha hakuna mtu atakupatia pesa,” he warned.
By-election as a political reckoning
Gachagua framed the upcoming November 27 by-election as a critical opportunity for the Mount Kenya region to register its profound disapproval of President Ruto, whom he accused of political betrayal.
He singled out the residents of Mbeere North as a crucial bloc in what he termed an impending political “reckoning.”
Also Read: “Stop crying wolf”: Gachagua claps back at Ruto as political fallout deepens
The politician has been campaigning vigorously for Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Kariuki, marking his fourth day of engagements in the constituency.
His rallies, which included stops at Ciangera shopping centre and Kavengero in Evurore ward, have drawn significant crowds.
He was accompanied by a cohort of political allies, including former Cabinet Secretary JB Muturi, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa.
