Moses Kuria tells Gachagua to stop blaming him for violence and political failures
By Kiprono Keileb, January 25, 2026Former Trade Cabinet Secretary and Chama Cha Kazi Party Leader Moses Kuria has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of repeatedly linking him to violence and personal political setbacks, saying his name has been dragged into claims he has nothing to do with.
In a statement shared on his X account on Sunday, January 25, 2026, Kuria responded to comments by Gachagua that associated him with violence and political losses, including past electoral defeats.
In his statement, Kuria said he has become a convenient scapegoat whenever things go wrong for Gachagua, regardless of the issue or context.
“Rigathi Gachagua has yet again mentioned my name this evening, associating me with violence. From losing in Mbeere to everything that goes wrong in his life, Rigathi Gachagua can not help blaming me for everything,” Kuria said.
Kuria suggested that the repeated accusations have gone beyond politics and into personal attacks, even as tensions remain high in the country following recent incidents where opposition leaders are experiencing chaos in their gatherings.
He noted that despite feeling provoked by the claims, he has chosen restraint after intervention by respected elders from his community, whom he said asked him to avoid escalating the exchange.
“I was bonded by community elders led by Maina Kamanda to restrain myself from responding to him,” Kuria said.
The former CS added that he was honouring the elders’ request, even as he made it clear that the accusations against him were unfair and unfounded.
“Let me respect the elders for now,” he said.
The exchange comes at a time when political temperatures remain high, with leaders trading accusations over violence, accountability, and responsibility for recent disruptions linked to political events and public gatherings.
Gachagua teargassed during church service in Othaya
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was attacked during a church service in Othaya ACK, Nyeri County, on Sunday, January 25, 2026.
The former deputy president has since come out to condemn the act, pointing an accusing finger at the president and other leaders, including members of parliament from Mt Kenya, for being behind the attack.
He said that the church was attacked, live bullets were fired at congregants, and his vehicles were torched.
“William Ruto has sent a killer squad to kill us inside Witima ACK Church, Othaya. We are marooned in church, being attacked with live bullets and tear gas, and they torched my vehicles. We ask Kenyans to pray for us to come out alive,” he said.