Murang’a Woman Rep. Betty Maina hits back at Gachagua over claims of fallout with Ruto
By Kenneth Mwenda, July 27, 2026Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over claims that she has fallen out with President William Ruto, accusing him of spreading “cheap propaganda”.
Maina said she was not considering joining Gachagua’s political camp and maintained that she remained committed to her relationship with President Ruto.
The Murang’a Woman MP responded after Gachagua allegedly suggested during a television interview that she had differed with the President and was using the possibility of working with him.
In a statement posted on her Facebook account on Monday, July 27, 2026, Maina told Gachagua to stop involving her in his political battles.
“Dear H.E. Rigathi Gachagua, EGH, I now want to caution you. You are a national leader looking for a national position. Play at your league,” Maina wrote.
She accused the former deputy president of dragging her name into his political differences with President Ruto and asked him to leave her out of the debate.
“Keep my name out of your mouth,” she said.
Maina dismissed claims that she was seeking an alliance with Gachagua, saying she did not support his leadership style.
“You are not an option. If it will cost me my position, so be it. Hell will never be my choice if provided in the menu,” she stated.
Maina rejects Gachagua influence
The Murang’a Woman Representative said her continued support for President Ruto was evident, pointing to the appointment of Kuria Wa Thuita as a commissioner.
“I am busy celebrating the appointment of Kuria Wa Thuita as a commissioner that the President made on Tuesday. That’s how much we’ve fallen apart,” Maina said.
Maina also defended her recent criticism of Gachagua, saying she had openly challenged him during an interview on Inooro TV.
She said she mentioned Gachagua by name and made her position clear on his leadership.
“What is unbelievable to you is a fact that on Wednesday I openly condemned you at Inooro TV, mentioned your name and said that even if everyone would bow down before you, Betty wouldn’t,” she wrote.
The lawmaker further said her criticism of Gachagua did not affect her relationship with residents in Murang’a.
She claimed that during a meeting in the county, residents welcomed her despite her public disagreement with the former deputy president.
“I later proceeded to a meeting in Murang’a that was very warm, full of joy and we joked together with the people about Ol Kalou. What you thought would break us was brushed off in a humorous way,” Maina said.
The exchange comes amid heightened political competition in the Mt Kenya region, where Gachagua has been seeking to consolidate support after his fallout with President Ruto.
Maina accused Gachagua of assuming he controlled politics in the region, saying voters had the freedom to choose their preferred leaders.
“You are not a god in this mountain,” she stated.
She added that she would not work with leaders whose political beliefs did not align with hers.
“I don’t believe in your leadership and therefore I will never be your guest at your political table,” Maina said.