The political battle between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto’s camp has now spiraled into an all-out war as both sides continue to trade accusations and issue public warnings.

The latest salvo came from current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who took a swipe at his predecessor, accusing him of inciting the people—particularly those from the Mt. Kenya region—against the president.

Speaking on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, during a consultative meeting with Tharaka Nithi leaders at his Karen residence, Kindiki labeled Gachagua’s tactics as dangerous politics.

He claimed that the former second-in-command had nothing to show for his tenure in terms of development and should not assume that his 2027 bid would be a walk in the park.

“Wakati wa siasa utafika na wale tutashindana nao, including my brother who was here. He will tell us what he did for counties, including Tharaka Nithi. It’s going to be very rough. Watu wasifikirie.”

Kindiki warned that Gachagua’s reliance on incitement as a political tool would backfire, making his 2027 ambitions even more challenging.

Accusations of inciting chaos

Kindiki, who was visibly agitated, claimed that Gachagua had been hiring youth to attend various gatherings, including funerals, where they would disrupt proceedings, completely disregarding the grieving families.

He further accused him of forcefully inserting himself into events, including those organized by musicians, in an attempt to steal the spotlight and cause disorder.

“You cannot come to incite people in burials. Mtu amefiwa na loved one unaleta vijana hapo kupiga kelele. Sijui kwa wedding ama musician ameunda event na hata si yako unadandia unakuja kuleta kisirani. That habit is dangerous. Very bad habit. The area where I am born, hii area ya Central, we are not known for violence. Those behaviors were elsewhere. And for the first time, I’m speaking as the immediate Minister of Interior.”

Central falling into anarchy

Kindiki, who also had locals from Tharaka Nithi County in attendance, recalled a recent instance where he claimed that dangerous political influence, driven by reckless leadership, nearly pushed the region into chaos.

He noted that he had never been as disturbed as he was at that moment, describing it as unbelievable to witness people who knew each other setting properties on fire in Karatina and Embu.

Kindiki, who was once Tharaka Nithi’s senator, clarified that he was not discouraging people from listening to political leaders but was urging them to be cautious about how they interpret and act on the information given to them.

He went further to lament that, due to poor leadership, the epicenter of political unrest had shifted from Kisumu’s Kondele to Embu, where, according to him, a certain leader was allegedly inciting youth to orchestrate daily acts of violence, including blocking the Embu-Nairobi highway.

“For the first time, I was so downcast to see people burning each other’s property in Karatina. In Embu, for the first time. Unajua ile duka ni ya nani, unaenda unachoma. Dangerous politics driven by poor leadership. And I have not said leaders should not listen. Listen and look for solutions. Today, Kisumu’s Kondele used to be the most volatile area in Kenya, but today the headquarters of that is Embu. Hapo Embu kuna kijana amekaa hapo ati ni maarufu sana, anasanya vijana ati wanafunga njia.”