Two Cabinet secretaries and a section of legislators have launched a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, accusing them of misleading Kenyans and fuelling division in the Mt Kenya region.

Speaking during a church service at Athimba New Life Covenant Church in Igembe South on Sunday, January 18, 2026, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Water CS Eric Muuga said the two former senior government officials had failed to deliver while in office and were now seeking to destabilise the region for their own political gain.

Ruku slams Linturi

Ruku accused Linturi of poor performance during his tenure at the Agriculture Ministry, alleging that farmers were supplied with fake fertiliser and that road projects in parts of Meru were poorly executed by his construction company.

“He failed to deliver when he was given an opportunity to serve. Farmers suffered because of fake fertiliser, and the roads done in the region were shoddy,” Ruku said.

The CSs were accompanied by Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi, Igembe Central MP Dan Kilii, and Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, who together accused the opposition of fuelling hatred and deepening political rifts in Mt Kenya.

Ruku further accused the opposition of harbouring negativity towards the government and spreading what he termed as dangerous propaganda aimed at turning communities against each other.

“You failed to deliver while in office. Pack and go home and stay with your wives and children instead of misleading Kenyans,” Ruku said.

Gachagua’s Mt Kenya influence

The CS further dismissed Gachagua and his allies’ political influence in the Mt Kenya region, saying recent by-elections had exposed their dwindling influence in the region.

“In the just concluded Mbeere North contest, it was shown clearly that he has no power in Mt Kenya East, so he should stop cheating Kenyans that he is the kingpin,” Ruku added.

Ruku claimed that the opposition party outfit associated with the two leaders had no grassroots support and no clear development blueprint for the country.

Meru supremacy politics

They further dismissed claims that Linturi was a regional kingpin, saying his recent political moves were aimed at creating divisions, particularly in Meru.

“Linturi is not our kingpin; he is just a failure who is bitter after being dismissed from government. We cannot follow him to the opposition because they have no agenda for the country,” Mugaa said.

Mugaa also said that leaders in Meru would not allow themselves to be dragged into politics of bitterness and confrontation, insisting that the region will support the Kenya Kwanza government owing to their remarkable development track records.

John Paul, on his part, urged residents of Igembe South and the larger Meru region not to fall into what he described as the opposition’s trap of empty rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation.

While drumming up support for President William Ruto’s two-term movement, they advised the opposition to shun placing personal interests above national stability, urging them to give the president and his deputy, Kithure Kindiki, time to deliver on their developmental pledges.

The leaders also defended Ruto’s administration against claims that it had sidelined Mt Kenya, saying the region continued to enjoy significant representation in government.