Lands Cabinet Secretary (CS) Alice Wahome launched a scathing attack on former second-in-command Rigathi Gachagua.

Speaking in Murang’a during a meet-the-people tour on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, Wahome angrily dared Gachagua into a political fight, saying she fears no more and that it is time to make things clear.

The outspoken CS told the charged crowd that she is not the kind of leader who trembles at the mention of Gachagua’s name.

“Aliyekuwa naibu rais Rigathi Gachagua anachokoza wengine akifikiria mimi nitamwogopa. Mimi si mmoja wa wale wanamwogopa. Amekanyaga laini yangu, na sasa ni mimi na yeye. Alisema eti mimi sina sauti kwa serikali. Yeye aende nyumbani pekee yake,” Wahome declared, drawing loud cheers from residents.

Wahome fires back

Her comments came just days after Rigathi Gachagua alleged over the weekend that Alice Wahome had been sidelined by President William Ruto.

Gachagua described Wahome as a dedicated “mama wetu” but claimed she had been rendered powerless by forces within the government.

According to Gachagua, Ruto bypassed Wahome and only dealt directly with her principal secretary, leaving the CS frustrated and often unaware of high-level meetings.

“Mimi nakwambia nikiwa pale deputy president, aliwekewa PS mkalenjin, President Ruto haongei na yeye, anaongea tu na huyo PS,” Gachagua said, alleging that Wahome was deliberately left in the dark on ministry affairs.

He further told supporters that he once advised Wahome to persevere for the sake of her children despite being “marginalised” in both the Ministry of Water and now the Ministry of Lands.

Apart from Wahome, Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku also attacked Gachagua, claiming that he lacks political influence.

Political showdown escalates

Wahome’s fiery rebuttal is seen as a bold move in Kenya’s heated political landscape, where the rift between allies of President Ruto and those of Gachagua has been widening.

By declaring “now it is me and him,” Wahome positioned herself as one of the few Cabinet Secretaries willing to directly challenge the former deputy president.

Political analysts say the clash could ignite further divisions within the ruling coalition, with Wahome’s supporters hailing her as fearless, while Gachagua’s loyalists portray her as “a casualty of Ruto’s inner circle politics.”

The Murang’a showdown highlights the growing tension in the Kenya Kwanza government, with Gachagua accusing Ruto of isolating loyal allies, and Wahome insisting that she is strong enough to confront any attempt to silence her.