Kioni: Gachagua inherited networks Ruto used during the campaign
By Kenneth Mwenda, June 29, 2026Jubilee Party’s Jeremiah Kioni has said that Rigathi Gachagua is operating using political networks that were built during President William Ruto’s 2022 campaign.
He made the remarks during a morning radio interview on Monday, June 29, 2026, where he also commented on opposition politics and leadership in Mt Kenya.
Kioni said Gachagua has taken up a visible leadership role in opposition politics since his impeachment, even without holding formal office in the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP).
“Rigathi, give it to him. He has done his bit ya kuongoza upinzani tangu awe impeached,” Kioni said. “He has given a lot of leadership to the opposition, and you must give him credit.”
He added that Gachagua continues to show influence despite not being formally recognised in party structures.
“Amekuta hata igawa chama ya DCP, ni vizuri kusema ya kwamba if you go to the registrar of political parties, you see the officials. He is not yet an official, but he is giving leadership.,” Kioni said.
“But Methu is not an official. Yeah, you can only say that Methu is in UDA A and UDA B. So he cannot be an official.”
Kioni also noted that Gachagua has been active across the country as he builds support for DCP. He said this has helped him gain recognition among political actors even outside official party positions.
“Hata kama he is not an official, Gachagua, amejaribu kuzuguka Kenya hii na DCP. So give it to him.”
On internal political dynamics, Kioni pointed to figures he said operate within different factions of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), arguing that not all actors in the party hold formal authority but still influence political activity on the ground.
A key part of Kioni’s remarks focused on political “networks” in Mt Kenya and how they shape influence. He said the structures used during Ruto’s 2022 presidential campaign have continued to play a role in current politics.
“Networks ambazo zilikuwa na Mweshimiwa Ruto alipokuwa anafanya campaign ya hustler, ya Tangatanga, what else, ilikuwa majina mingi, ilikuwa Tangatanga. Dynasty na bottom-up. He had the networks. Na hizo networks ndizo Gachagua ameinherit,” Kioni said.
The kingpin label
The interviewer pressed Kioni on the “kingpin” talk around Gachagua, often called Riggy G in Mt Kenya circles. Kioni pushed back against the idea of any formal kingpin office.
“Jambo la kwanza ni kwamba hakuna ofisi inayoitwa kingpin office. Ata ukitembea Kenya hii mzima, hakuna ofisi utagonga gonga, upate imeandikwa kingpin na iko na secretary. Hakuna kitu kama hiyo,” he explained.
He said new leaders emerge in every community and region, not just Mt Kenya.
“Ukweli wa mambo ni kwamba kila wakati kunachipuka kiongozi, na siyo kwa mlima pekee yake, ni kwa kila kabila ama kwa kila eneo.”
Kioni added that if anyone occupies such a position across communities, it is former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“Hata sasa hivi ukisema kama kuna hiyo ofisi, hiyo ofisi ya kingpin ni kama imekaliwa na Uhuru, kwa kila jamii. Kwa sababu akija kwenu, watu watakuwa wakitaka kumsikiliza zaidi kuliko nyinyi ambao mko na uzoefu kule,” he stated.