Gachagua blames Ichung’wah and Ruto for Kikuyu rally disruption using teargas
By Emmanuel Rono, April 11, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused Kikuyu Member of Parliament Kimani Ichung’wah of orchestrating the disruption of his rally in Kikuyu using teargas, in what he termed a betrayal of the electorate.
Speaking during the rally in Kikuyu town on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the MP, who has been elected by the area residents for three consecutive terms, had turned against the very people who entrusted him with leadership.
Gachagua claimed that Ichung’wah is working in collaboration with President William Ruto to frustrate his political activities in the region.
“Umeshikana na William Ruto kuangaisha jamii ya Kikiyu. Ni makosa kubwa sana wewe Ichungwah, hawa watu walikuchagua mara tatu kutuma polisi na teargas kuja kuwaangaisha watu walikuchagua,” Gachagua said.
Loosely translate: “You have teamed up with William Ruto to oppress the Kikuyu community. It is a big mistake, Ichung’wah, these people elected you three times, yet you are now sending police and teargas to harass and disperse them,” Gachagua said.
Prioritizing political allegiance
He further accused the MP of prioritising political allegiance over the interests of Kikuyu residents, warning that such actions could erode public confidence in elected leaders.
He has also accused Ruto’s administration of orchestrating violence through the use of criminal gangs, as political tensions rise ahead of planned engagements in the Kikuyu constituency.
State goons
In a statement shared earlier before the rally on Saturday, April 11, 2026, Gachagua claimed that the use of goons has become a deliberate strategy in the current political environment, pointing to what he described as a worrying trend captured even in mainstream media coverage.
“As well captured by the two leading dailies, goonism has become the operational module for William Ruto’s administration,” the statement reads.
He accused the government of relying on such groups to entrench its political control, alleging that dissenting voices and ordinary citizens are increasingly being targeted through intimidation and violence.
He warned that the situation is deteriorating, with criminal elements allegedly operating in tandem with official security agencies.
“Cornered and loathed by Kenyans for mismanaging the country and making corruption the way of life, William Ruto has sought the services of goons to keep him in power and deal with leaders and Kenyans opposed to his leadership, who had messed the country in a record three years. Goons are now part of the National Police service and work alongside the police in causing chaos and unleashing violence against innocent Kenyans,” the statement reads.