Gachagua: Ruto wants me to buy fear so that he can divide the mountain
By Mustafa Juma, January 12, 2026Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of scaring him so that he can retreat to his house.
Speaking during an interview with K24 TV on Monday, January 12, 2026, Gachagua maintained that he will not buy into the fear.
The former Deputy President argued that he has sacrificed to unite the Mt Kenya people, noting that if he does not do so as a leader, the community will become extinct and become irrelevant in the national political discourse.
Gachagua further noted that if he backs down, Ruto will manage to divide Mt Kenya and use the opportunity to get reelected in 2027.
“In life, sacrifices must be made. If I don’t unite my people, they will be extinct. And they will be irrelevant in the national political discourse. If I buy fear the way Ruto wants me to do, because he wants me to buy fear and retreat into my house so that he can divide the mountain so that he can be reelected,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua on Ruto’s re-election
He went ahead to claim that President Ruto is aware that he has no chance in 2027 without the Mt Kenya vote, thus opting to divide them.
According to Gachagua, the Mt Kenya region will be in trouble should Ruto manage to earn himself a second term. He argued that the Head of State has declared war on the community and that he will finish it completely if he gets re-elected.
“He knows that without the mountain, he has no chance. If he is reelected, he will finish my community because he has declared war on the community. He is persecuting our community, he has sacked our sons and daughters, and he has destroyed our businesses. I have sacrificed on behalf of the community to stand up to him and make sure that the mountain is not divided, and the vote of the mountain will go to one basket to replace Ruto as the president,” Gachagua stated.
Attacks against Gachagua
Gachagua has previously accused President Ruto of using state security to intimidate him and his supporters.
On Sunday, January 11, 2026, while speaking at AIPCA Kiamuoria Church in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, Gachagua blamed Ruto after teargas was deployed during the church service.
His remarks came after chaos was reported near the church, where worshippers said teargas affected women, children, and other congregants.
Addressing the congregation in Kikuyu and Swahili, Gachagua told those affected not to worry and apologised to women and children who were caught up in the incident. He said the use of teargas in churches had become a habit and directly blamed President Ruto.
“Msijali, poleni sana watoto na kina mama wale wameguzwa na teargas. Hii imekuwa ni tabia ya William Ruto kupiga watu kanisani,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua went on to issue a direct message to the president, saying intimidation would not change the political mood in the Mt Kenya region. He claimed that attempts to scare residents would only strengthen their resolve.
“William Ruto, tafadhali, even if you beat us, even if you send goons, your time here in the mountain is over. The more you intimidate these people, the more determined they are to send you home,” he added.