Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has delivered a stinging warning to President William Ruto, asserting that the Head of State would struggle to win even 5 per cent of votes in Mount Kenya.

Speaking to supporters in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, March 28, Gachagua described Ruto as an outsider in the region and challenged him to confront him directly rather than attacking him from afar.

“Nataka nikwaambie William Ruto, mimi Riggy G nikiwa nyumbani hapa Kirinyaga, nikiwa mtoto ya Mau Mau, nakwambia leo mchana, ukipata five per cent ya kura hapa mlimani, Riggy G hapana mwanaume,” he declared to a cheering crowd, underscoring his dominance in the Central Highlands.

Gachagua also criticised Ruto for spreading falsehoods about the coffee sector and claimed the president mismanaged the industry while in office. He accused Ruto of shifting blame for sectoral failures to him in other regions.

“Wewe Kasongo, nimeskia juzi, ukienda kwa Wajaluo, kuongea mambo ya kahawa. Kudanganya Wajaluo, ati mimi ndio niliharibu kahawa.

“Kasongo wewe, ndio uliharibu kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukasambaratisha sector ya Kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukaharibu kahawa yetu. Ile shillingi billioni saba, iliweza kusaidia wakulima wa kahawa, ukachukua, ukaiba,” he said.

‘Face me in Mt Kenya’

He emphasised that discussions about coffee should take place in the regions where it is grown, insisting that Ruto stop insulting him in Luo Nyanza or Western Kenya and face him in the Mt Kenya Highlands.

“Wewe Kasongo, nimeona, unaenda kwa Waluhya, unaenda kwa Wajaluo kutukana Riggy G. Jana ulikuwa Thika, ulikuwa Juja; kama wewe ni mwanaume, kwa nini hukuongea mambo ya Riggy G ukiwa hapa mlimani? Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa Kirinyaga, hapa mlimani, utusi Rigathi Gachagua, kiongozi wa Mlima Kenya, utajua hujui. Wewe Kasongo ni muoga. Kama wewe umejipima, umefikisha kilo ya mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa mlimani umtusi Riggy G,” he added.

The remarks follow a recent escalation of personal attacks between the two leaders.