Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Sunday, May 3, 2026, launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto during a public engagement in Kimana town, Kajiado South, revisiting political tensions between the two leaders.

Gachagua accused Ruto of pretending to connect with voters through newly learned Kikuyu phrases, claiming the President was staging political theatrics in Mount Kenya.

“Huyu Kasongo, mimi ni kiboko yake. Nimemuona leo tena Murang’a, amerudi hapo na ile tabia yake ya zamani,” Gachagua said.

He claimed that Ruto used to mislead voters in earlier campaigns by trying to speak Kikuyu to create a sense of closeness.

“Alikuwa anakuja hapo zamani anatundanganya na Kikuyu ‘Mwathani agoshwo, Ngai ni Mwega, iidi ciothe,’” he added.

Translation: “He used to come there in the past and deceive us in Kikuyu, saying ‘Praise God, God is good, all the time.’”

Gachagua claimed the President had recently been coached again on Kikuyu phrases and was now returning to Mount Kenya with what he described as rehearsed language.

“Sasa leo amekuwa hapo, amefundishwa Kikuyu usiku na Ichung’wah,” he said.

He questioned Ruto’s intentions during his visits to Murang’a, suggesting that the President was trying to deceive residents again.

“Anaenda hapo Murang’a kusema ‘Andu aitu muriokuo?’ Onaa ni ndi okuo. Anafikiria atadanganya watu tena,” Gachagua said.

Translation: “He goes to Murang’a and says, ‘Our people, are you still there?’ I am also around. He thinks he can deceive people again.”

He insisted that voters in the region had already seen through what he called political games.

“Wacha nikuambie Kasongo, watu wamekujua,” he said.

Gachagua told Ruto not to hide behind religion or ethnic appeals when addressing voters.

“Hapana jificha kwa Bibilia, hapana ongea Kikuyu na Kimaasai. Hakuna mtu ako na haja na wewe,” he said.

Mount Kenya political battle lines

The remarks come as political tensions between the two leaders continue to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election. Gachagua has positioned himself as a key critic of Ruto, often focusing his message on Mount Kenya politics.

In earlier rallies, he warned that the President would struggle to secure even a small share of votes in the region.

“Nataka nikwaambie William Ruto, mimi Riggy G nikiwa nyumbani hapa Kirinyaga… ukipata five per cent ya kura hapa mlimani, Riggy G hapana mwanaume,” he said in a previous address.

He has also accused Ruto of failing to deliver on economic promises, particularly in the coffee sector, and of misleading farmers on reforms.

More recently, Gachagua intensified his attacks on government projects. The former deputy president accused the government of relaunching projects that had already been opened.

He cited a road project in Kangema, Murang’a County, saying machinery only arrived after the president had left.

“Rais ameenda Murang’a, pale Kangema. He has launched a road. By the time he reached Nairobi, equipment followed him,” he said.

Gachagua also referred to a local institution he said had earlier been opened by Ndindi Nyoro.

“Ameenda pale, an institution that was launched by the Kiharu Member of Parliament, anaitwa Ndindi Nyoro. Ile plate ilisema Ndindi Nyoro alifungua wametoa. Rais ameifungua tena,” he said.

As the political rivalry deepens, both leaders have stepped up campaigns in their respective strongholds, with Mount Kenya emerging as a key battleground. Gachagua continues to frame his message around what he calls accountability, while Ruto has maintained confidence in his re-election prospects.

The growing exchanges signal an increasingly heated political season as the country moves closer to 2027.