Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has denied claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua visited the homestead of his grandmother during a door-to-door campaign in Mbeere North.

The claims emerged after photos of Gachagua interacting with residents went viral on Monday, November 17.

The claims suggested that Gachagua had breakfast at Ruku’s grandmother’s home, but the Cabinet Secretary dismissed the reports as false. During a campaign rally in Muminji on Tuesday, November 18, Ruku addressed the issue directly.

“Mimi nataka kusema namna hii wewe, Riggy G. Wacha kudanganya watu ya Kenya, ati unawadanganya jana asubuhi, uliamka ukaenda kwa shosho, ama grandmother wa Ruku,” Ruku said.

“Hiyo ni upuzi. Kama mimi Ruku sina mama, aliaga dunia kitambo, kama mimi sina baba, aliaga dunia kitambo, na nyinyi watu wa Muminji mnajua hivo. Ni grandmother wangu atakua hai kweli?”

Ruku also accused the media of spreading the narrative without verifying facts, singling out a TV station for reporting the story.

Also watch: Mbeere North by-election showdown.

Mbeere North campaign heats

The comments came amid heated campaigning for the Mbeere North parliamentary seat, which fell vacant following Ruku’s appointment as Cabinet Secretary.

The by-election is scheduled for November 27, and both the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition Democratic Party (DP) have intensified their campaigns in the constituency.

UDA candidate Leonard Muthende, backed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and CS Ruku, is competing against DP candidate Newton Karish, supported by Gachagua. Both sides have employed a mix of door-to-door campaigns and rallies to engage voters directly.

Gachagua was seen interacting with residents, while Kindiki led rallies and visited local eateries to connect with constituents. The campaigns have been largely peaceful despite occasional verbal sparring between the two camps.

Both sides are using personal engagement strategies to influence voters, with Gachagua focusing on Karish’s outreach and Ruku and Kindiki emphasising continuity of government projects under Muthende.