Gachagua fights off trabalist tag after being confronted by Gen Z in the US
By Mustafa Juma, July 27, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly defended his consistent focus on the Mt. Kenya region, dismissing claims that he is stoking tribal divisions.
The fiery response came during an engagement meeting with Kenyans living in the United States in the wee hours of Sunday, July 27, 2025, where a Gen Z attendee, Valentine Wanjiru Githae, challenged him to embrace a more nationalistic posture.
Valentine, who introduced herself as part of the Gen Z movement, urged Gachagua to shift away from ethnic-based rhetoric and begin positioning himself as a leader for all Kenyans.
She cautioned that using the Kikuyu language in diaspora forums could alienate non-Kikuyu supporters and create the impression of tribal exclusion.
Marginalisation
In a lengthy and impassioned reply, Gachagua defended his statements and actions, citing marginalisation and targeted attacks on businesses owned by people from the Mt. Kenya region.
“My daughter, if you follow what happened two weeks before I came to America, you will realise why I have to defend the Mt. Kenya people,” Gachagua stated. “Businesses for the Mt. Kenya people were targeted for destruction. In other areas, they were not destroyed. This is because they wanted to intimidate the people of that region into silence.”
Bias in protest arrests
He further alleged bias in arrests and prosecutions following the recent anti-government protests, claiming that 92% of those charged with terrorism-related offences were from the Mt. Kenya region.
Gachagua also referenced a controversial past statement from Webuye West MP Dan Wanyama, made during a Mt. Elgon meeting allegedly attended by President William Ruto, suggesting an intentional plan to politically isolate the Mt. Kenya community.
“If you do remember, there was a meeting in Mt. Elgon where William Ruto sat as an MP for Webuye West, Dan Wanyama said that all communities will gang up to isolate the Mountain people—and William Ruto was there laughing and clapping,” Gachagua added.
He concluded by affirming that he is willing to pay any political price for standing with his people.
“Somebody must defend the mountain. If all of us get intimidated and allow the people to get intimidated, what happens? And I say, I don’t have to be president; I don’t have to be anybody in Kenya. And if I will be a nobody because I stand with the people, let it be.”