Gachagua lectures Ichungwa in front of Ruto
By Kenneth Mwenda, April 8, 2026Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua confronted National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah as President William Ruto watched, in a tense moment at the requiem mass of the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
Gachagua spoke directly and without hesitation. He reminded the president of past advice and blamed some of his current allies for political troubles in the Mt Kenya region. He singled out Member of Parliament for the Kikuyu Constituency Kimani Ichung’wah in remarks that quickly shifted the mood from mourning to open political contest.
“Nilikuambia kabla hatujakosana. Nilikuambia. Nikakuambia hawa vijana unatembea na hawa, watakuweka kwa shimo. Hawa kina Ichungwa nilikuambia watakuweka kwa shimo,” Gachagua said.
He stood a few metres from Ruto as he spoke, marking their first time on the same platform since his exit from office. Gachagua went further and warned the president about the political cost of ignoring his earlier advice.
He then turned his attention to Ichung’wah’s past remarks about him.
“Mimi nilikushauri rais nikakuambia hawa watu wa mlima hawapendi usaliti. I told you that betrayal is not forgiven among our people. You chose to listen to Kimani Ichungwa. Sasa hii jamii imekukataa,” he added.
“Sasa huyu Ichungwa alikuambia Riggy G atasahaulika baada ya wiki mbili sasa ni miaka ngapi? Mr President nakuomba ndugu yangu, you are my brother, tafadhali, tafuta amani na hii jamii. Tafuta amani na hii jamii. Usiskize hii watoto.”
Tension marks requiem service
The service drew senior leaders and residents from across Nyandarua. While it honoured Kiaraho’s life, it also became a stage for political messaging ahead of the 2027 general election.
Earlier, tension had already built up when Nyandarua Senator John Methu addressed the gathering. His microphone was briefly switched off after he started criticising the president directly. When it came back on, he pressed Ruto over stalled projects in the county.
“Mimi nataka nikueleze jambo moja pekee yake kama senator wa hapa… tulikuwa na wewe pale ukatwambia barabara itaekwa lami na haijaekwa… nimefanya siasa gani?” Methu asked, listing roads and a stadium project that remain incomplete.
Gachagua arrived at the event with his allies, including Methu and supporters linked to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). Their presence signalled a coordinated show of strength in a region seen as key to the next election.
Despite the tension, Gachagua had earlier called for calm. Speaking in Nairobi before travelling to Nyandarua, he urged residents to treat the president with respect.
“Sisi hatuna maneno na mtu yeyote… kama Rais William Ruto atakuja, akaribishwe vizuri na heshima,” he said.
He also cautioned against turning the funeral into a political battleground, insisting that disputes should be settled at the ballot box.