Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Kithure Kindiki sent a messenger to urge him to soften his criticism on him.

Speaking during a church service at ACK Nyakagumo in Maragua Constituency, Murang’a County on Sunday, April 19, 2026, Gachagua said he was told to reduce his attacks on the current deputy president.

“Yesterday, Professor Kithiki said a friend to talk to me that we are too harsh on him and we should go slow on him, and we should forgive him,” Gachagua said.

He added that he had no personal problem with Kindiki but insisted that some issues could not be ignored.

“Professor, we have no problem. We forgive him for your sins, but there are two we are unable to forgive you, and we must go for you,” he said.

Gachagua said one of the issues he could not forgive related to the handling of the 2024 Gen Z protests. He claimed that young people were killed and abducted during the unrest.

“During the 2024 Gen Z protests, you were the CS Interior. I talked to you as my kinsman. I pleaded with you, Professor Kithiki, not to agree to kill young children,” he said.

He claimed that the state used excessive force during the protests.

“You are the CS Interior. There was abduction and killing of Gen Zs. And that is why you and William Ruto have Gen Z blood on your hands,” he said.

Gachagua further claimed that those events would continue to affect the leadership of President Ruto and his allies.

“And that is why you have so many problems, you and Ruto, because you carry the blood of the Gen Zs in your hands,” he said.

He said he personally witnessed the suffering of families affected by the protests and could not remain silent.

Gachagua said he could not forgive the claimed actions, arguing that families of victims still deserved justice.

“Much as I had you were crying, I’m unable to forgive you because even you should have mercy on the parents of those young children,” he said.

He also raised concerns over illicit alcohol, saying efforts to control the trade had failed.

“Again, I’m unable to forgive you for sabotaging the war on illicit brews that has been killing our people,” he said.

Illicit alcohol

Gachagua claimed that earlier efforts to curb illegal alcohol had worked but were later reversed.

“That war was successful, and as CS Interior, William Ruto instructed you to sabotage that war. And today, the brews are back, and our kids are in trouble,” he said.

He warned that the return of illicit alcohol was affecting young people across the country.

“Our young people are dying every day. Professor Kindiki, we are unable to forgive you for sabotaging a program that would have saved an entire generation,” he said.

He said the issues would remain central in political debates, adding that accountability was necessary for national healing.

“For those two things, much as you are crying, we will make sure that you and William Ruto both go one way,” he said.

The remarks add to growing political tensions between Gachagua and senior government officials, with the former Deputy President increasingly accusing the administration of rights violations and policy failures.

Government officials have in previous statements defended their record, including efforts to reform security operations and curb illicit alcohol, while maintaining that claims of state-sponsored violence are unfounded.

The latest comments are likely to further intensify political exchanges ahead of upcoming national debates on governance, security, and accountability.