Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has addressed his relationship with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, saying it’s not about politics, leadership, nor the presidency.

He made it clear that their bond is based on family, not political interests. Gachagua was speaking during a church service at Kasarani on Sunday, December 7, 2025.

“There has been a lot of efforts by Ruto and company to woo Kalonzo Musyoka to his side. They have been trailing him everywhere and inviting him to join them. I want to confirm that my cousin here cannot betray the people of Kenya,” Gachagua said.

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“Number two, when that has failed, they think that they can put a wedge between me and Kalonzo Musyoka. Let me tell the people of Kenya, the relationship between me and Kalonzo is not about leadership. It is not about politics. It’s not about the presidency. It is family. Sasa, watu ya familia wanaeza wachana? Blood is thicker than water.”

He emphasised that all future decisions involving the two leaders will be family decisions, stressing the importance of unity among Ukambani leaders. Gachagua recalled past disagreements that cost the region politically and economically, and he urged reconciliation.

“For many years, tumeenda njia panda. As a result, the people of Ukambani have suffered. Sisi watu ya mulima tumeenda hasara for not sitting with our cousins. Sasa familia imechanuka. We are going to sit as a family. And all our decisions going forward will be family decisions,” he said.

Family ties

In July 2025, during the burial of Gachagua’s maternal aunt, Gladys Gathoni Kahua, in Nyeri, Kalonzo confirmed that Gachagua is his cousin through shared Meru ancestry.

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka described their connection warmly, reflecting on their growing political and personal bond.

“Allow me to say, I didn’t know Brother Riggy G very well. I just saw a man defending Ruto everywhere, using strong language and showing no fear. I didn’t know Mama Gladys either, but I’ve now seen that she was born in Kibirichia, Imenti, in Meru,” Kalonzo said.

“Riggy G and I are truly ‘Macuzo’ (cousins), because I’m close to Meru, my father has family in Maua, Meru, and you are from Meru. I now see that it wasn’t a big issue when we came to Wamunyoro, and Mama Gladys welcomed us warmly. We said once we left Wamunyoro, we would go to Tseikuru. That’s when I started to really know Brother Riggy G.”

The ‘Macuzo’ connection has formed the basis of a growing alliance between the two leaders since publicly mentioning it in Machakos in June 2025.

In September 2025, Gachagua told President William Ruto to stop sending intermediaries to reach Kalonzo. Speaking at a church service in Mutituni, Machakos County, Gachagua insisted that Ruto should speak to him directly on family matters.

“Sisi na nyinyi we are one family. Sindio. Wakati umefika familia ikae pamoja. Na tunaambia Ruto, keep off family matters, sindio? Wewe unatumana ati kila siku watu yako watafute huyu Kalonzo, please, wewe ukitaka Kalonzo uongee na mimi. Yes,” he said.

“Sisi tumeketi na Kalonzo, na viongozi wa Wakamba, na Wakikuyu, na Wameru na Waembu na nimeambiwa for the time being, I’m the family’s spokesman. So wewe kama unataka kuongea na Kalonzo, hapana tumia brokers. Kuja unitafute,”