Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has slammed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over remarks that, while still in office, he once felt like slapping his boss, President William Ruto.

Speaking in a video posted on his YouTube channel on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the outspoken former legislator termed the remarks as reckless, arguing that Gachagua should not blame anyone for his 2024 impeachment other than his own tongue.

“Gachagua, you got yourself impeached. Even your utterances, including the ones you made this week, saying that you wanted to slap Ruto, continue to justify the fact that you deserved that impeachment,” Wambugu said.

Gachagua’s slapping remarks

His comments come days after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, while addressing supporters in Nyamakima, sharply criticised his successor, Kithure Kindiki.

Gachagua described Kindiki as a “yes man” who, according to him, does not have the interests of the Mount Kenya region at heart and merely follows instructions from President Ruto, even when they are detrimental to the community’s interests.

Gachagua stated that during his tenure as the second-in-command, he firmly defended the region’s interests, regardless of the president’s displeasure.

He claimed that in some instances he even felt like slapping his boss, adding that his hardline stance is what ultimately led to his removal through impeachment.

Kuria’s perspective

Gachagua’s sentiments were echoed by former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who, despite having previously criticised him, said he misses Gachagua’s tenure.

Kuria argued that Gachagua indeed stood firm in defending the interests of the Mount Kenya region whenever they were at stake, unlike the current situation.

“Let us not look at those in government right now because deep down, there is a big problem. Rigathi played a major role as deputy president. I miss the moments with him as deputy president. Our strength as a region was reduced when Gachagua was impeached,” Kuria argued.

Kuria defends Gachagua.

The former lawmaker for Gatundu South Constituency also noted that Rigathi was a strong Deputy President to William Ruto.

Kuria further noted that there are things that the president would have wanted to do but could not do because Riathi Gachagua was there at the time to protect the interests of the Mount Kenya people.

Moses also stated that Rigathi Gachagua always put the interests of the Mount Kenya people first and could always engage other leaders on matters of governance and the development plans the government had concerning the Mount Kenya region, including the reforms in the coffee sector.