Information, Communications and Digital Economy Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo has dismissed claims of political hostility in the Mt Kenya region following former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.

Speaking on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, Kabogo asserted that President William Ruto’s message would still continue to resonate positively with the residents of Mt Kenya.

“Those who are saying mlima iko shida, Mlima haina shida. Mimi nitaenda mlimani na nitatumana salamu za rais na zitapokewa,” he said.

Since his impeachment, Gachagua has been engaging in various activities, attempting to undermine leaders allied with the Kenya Kwanza government in the region, terming their association with President William Ruto as a betrayal to the people of the mountain.

This has led to various leaders, including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, being heckled by citizens.

On January 3, 2025, at the burial of former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti’s son, Muturi was prevented from reading President Ruto’s condolence message.

Referring to this, Kabogo likened Gachagua’s recent political activities to ‘a frog’s noise that can’t prevent a cow from drinking water,’ dismissing the former DP’s influence in the region.

“Even if a few people are making noise, as we say in our language, ‘the eyes of a frog cannot stop a cow from drinking water,'” he added.

Kabogo criticized Gachagua’s recent exposés about government projects and his fallout with President Ruto, questioning the former DP’s credibility.

“Hiyo kelele iko mlima itakuja kuisha. It is impossible for someone who was in the kitchen where cooking was happening to come out after being kicked out and start claiming the cook was adding poison to the food. Is such a person mentally sound?” Kabogo added.

Additionally, the Cabinet Secretary warned against the potential formation of a new coalition by Gachagua and some Mt Kenya leaders, labelling them as ‘boarding the wrong bus.’

“Hao wenzetu wanaopiga kelele mlimani, wanaingia basi haiendi mahali,” he said.

Joining opposition

On Monday, January 27, 2024, during the launch of the Democratic Action Party of Kenya (DAP-K) new headquarters in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua vowed to do everything necessary to ensure that President William Ruto goes down in Kenya’s history as a one-term president.

Gachagua expressed his intent to partner with like-minded Kenyans and other parties to liberate the country from what he defined as bad governance, corruption, and dictatorship.

He affirmed his support for DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa, emphasizing that he is part of the opposition and they would work together to dethrone Ruto.

“I am elated to join this team of distinguished leaders of our country who have played a significant role in our democratic process. I want to give my commitment to the almighty and our supporters who are many, they are in millions, that we are part of a team and we will walk this journey together to liberate this country, and we shall make whatever sacrifices necessary to make sure William Ruto is a one-term president,” Gachagua said.

Political alliances

This meeting comes days after the former deputy President announced that he will be working with Narc Kenya Party Leader Martha Karua.

Speaking on January 25, 2025, at the event that brought together the two former political nemeses, Gachagua stated that they had agreed on how they will be working together ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said that his political camp will be regularly consulting Karua based on her extensive experience in politics, public service, and legal matters.