Ruto ally MP Wamumbi confirms WhatsApp exchange with Gachagua, hints at more messages
By David Nthua, July 20, 2026Mathira Member of Parliament Eric Wamumbi has confirmed his conversation with Democracy for the Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua.
Wamumbi wrote on Facebook on Monday, July 20, 2026, that he and Gachagua had exchanged WhatsApp messages.
He suggested the conversation contained more information than Gachagua had disclosed.
This included what he described as demands made to “WSR”, initials commonly used for William Samoei Ruto.
“It is true, H.E. Rigathi Gachagua and I, EGH, have been talking on WhatsApp messages,” Wamumbi wrote.
“There is more, including what he demanded from WsR.”
“The only problem is that he talks too much, hara siri.”
“I have the messages…. as is,” Wamumbi added.
Wamumbi did not disclose what Gachagua reportedly demanded from Ruto.
He also did not publish screenshots of the conversation.
His statement confirms that communication took place. It does not confirm every detail of the exchange previously narrated by Gachagua.
The conversation followed the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election. Democracy for the Citizens Party candidate Sammy Kamau Ngotho won with 35,440 votes.
United Democratic Alliance candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah received 5,450 votes.
What Gachagua said about the exchange
In his earlier remarks, Gachagua said Wamumbi contacted him before the July 16 election.
“Before we voted on Thursday, huyu mjumbe wangu wa hapa Mathira alinitumia mimi message,” Gachagua said.
“Akaniambia, ‘Ooh, mimi nilikuwa mtu wako, ukanigeuka nikaenda kwa Ruto. Hata hapa Ol Kalou unadanganywa na kina Methu. Wamebadilisha hii uchaguzi.’”
“‘Instead of fighting candidate against candidate, amegeuza imekuwa Ruto. And therefore, Methu and co have lost it. So when you lose on Thursday, ukuje utafute William Ruto.’”
“‘Mimi nilijua hii strategy ya kupigana na Ruto was it. Muchina is our son. There is no way Muhia and Methu could fight Muchina,’” he added.
Gachagua said Wamumbi contacted him again after the results.
“Jana ameniandikia message, ‘You won lakini you intimidated our people. Sasa wewe usikue mkali sana kwa Ruto. Kuwa kama Raila, mnaeza patana huko mbele,’” he said.
Gachagua also disclosed his reported response.
“Na mimi nikamwandikia nikimwambia, ‘Welcome. I don’t know whether you live in this mountain because if you did, that fellow you are calling WSR is the problem, but you don’t seem to understand.’”
“‘My advice is simple. For the remaining time, get as much as you can from William Ruto and do not spend it on politics. Hata ile mshahara yako usitumie. Itakusaidia mbele kuanza biashara,’” he added.
Gachagua then issued a warning about the 2027 Mathira parliamentary race.
“Na nikamwambia, ‘As long as you and your wife Betty Maina don’t use the rogue police squad to kill me before then, I will make sure you don’t get more than 500 votes in this Mathira.’”
“‘And because of bibi yako, juu ya gender, nimemkubalia 3,000 votes,’” Gachagua said.
Wamumbi’s latest statement leaves the dispute open. He has confirmed the conversation while signalling that he could release a different or broader version of the messages.