Gatundu South Member of Parliament (MP) Gabriel Gathuka Kagombe has criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of overrating his influence in Central Kenya politics.

Speaking during an interview on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Kagombe asserted that Gachagua’s perceived influence over Central Kenya politics is exaggerated.

According to Kagombe, Gachagua has taken on roles without the Kikuyu community’s endorsement thus he is overshooting himself.

“Rigathi Gachagua wants to assume some position that to me genuinely is picking and has not been given to him by the Kikuyu nation. The influence that Rigathi Gachagua imagines he has over Central Kenya politics is overrated, he has overrated himself and he is overshooting himself because we are on the ground,” Kagombe said.

Gachagua on his influence

Gachagua on Monday, March 17, 2025, asserted that his political influence during the 2022 election campaigns played a crucial part in President William Ruto’s decision to pick him as his running mate.

Speaking in an exclusive interview on Kameme FM, Gachagua addressed his relationship with President Ruto and the circumstances surrounding his selection as Deputy President, arguing that Ruto was fully aware of his independent nature but still chose him due to the political weight he carried at the time.

“From the beginning, President Ruto knew that I’m not a ‘Yes Sir’ type of person, but he still chose me to be his deputy because of the influence I had during the campaign period,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua’s political party

Speaking on Sunday, February 9, 2025, during a joint media interview, Gachagua declared that he would unveil the name of his newly formed political party, which is fully established and only awaiting its grand launch in May 2025.

“Our party is ready. It is in the showroom, the engine is brand new, the tyres are Michelin, and the driver is Gachagua—he won’t steer it off course. People are eager to know the name. The fifth month is when we will make the big reveal. We will begin opening branches, transitioning people from UDA, and firmly rooting them in our new home.

“We want all other communities to join us. We are offering them seats at the table. We have already allocated positions to some, and for those yet to be accommodated, this is their chance to come on board,” he said.