Gachagua claims CS Alice Wahome is being sidelined in Ruto’s govt
By Faith Lagat, September 14, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of sidelining Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome despite her role in the Kenya Kwanza campaign.
Speaking after a church service in Nyeri County on Sunday, September 14, 2025, Gachagua said Wahome has been undermined within the government, leaving her powerless in decision-making.
Claims of marginalisation
Gachagua described Wahome as a dedicated “mama wetu” who had been rendered ineffective by forces within the administration.
“Hata huyu mama wetu Alice Wahome, anatumiwa na Kasongo vibaya,” whom he accused Ruto of orchestrating her sidelining.
He claimed President Ruto communicates only with the principal secretary, bypassing the cabinet secretary.
“Mimi nakwambia nikiwa pale deputy president, aliwekewa PS mkalenjin, President Ruto haongei na yeye, anaongea tu na huyo PS,” Gachagua said, adding that meetings were planned without her knowledge. According to him, Wahome often expressed frustration. “Sasa alikua anakuja kwangu anasikia Ruto na PS wamepanga mkutano ye hana habari sasa Alice wetu amekaa tu pale hana kitu hata ya kufanya, she could not help, anahangaishwa ananyamaza tu.”
Gachagua recounted advising her to persevere for her children’s sake.
“Na kwa sababu ni mama wetu mzee nikamwambia vumilia tu hapoukule mshahara kwa sababu ya watoto, Alice avumilie,” he said, while the crowd chanted “Avumilie” in response.
He linked Wahome’s current challenges to her time at the Water Ministry, saying that President Ruto empowered another official to take over responsibilities.
“Siku alikua ministry ya maji, Kasongo alikua amemwandikia mtu anaitwa Rono, ndio alikua anatawala huyu mama wetu, iko PS Nickson Korir ndio mwenye kusema pale, siku alikua ministry ya maji, ametumika vibaya vile mimi nilitumika vibaya na vile ametutumia sisi sote vibaya,” he stated.
In May 2025, CS Alice Wahome dismissed resignation claims, insisting that she was firmly in government.
“After some officials were dismissed, rumours began that I was next to resign. That is pure daydreaming. I cannot resign from a government I passionately helped to form,” she stated after leading a tree planting exercise in Laikipia.
“Those who were removed weren’t delivering. I am working, and productivity is what keeps one in the office.”
By the time of this publication, CS Alice Wahome had not responded to Gachagua’s claims.
Security concerns raised
Gachagua also addressed insecurity, citing killing of Nairobi lawyer Kyallo Mbobu in Karen.
“You saw a few days ago, a lawyer, my neighbour in Karen, was shot eight times by professional killers. People are so scared in the country. You don’t know who has been paid to assassinate you. The motorbikes are now worrisome. You shiver every time a motorbike follows your car,” he said.
He linked rising insecurity to political gangs repurposed for crime after elections. “We now have gangs with knives robbing people in broad daylight. The gangs were used to doing politics, and now that the politics are over, they have to make a living and are now terrorising Kenyans,” he said, adding that the gangs would be dismantled.
Economic promises
Turning to the economy, Gachagua vowed to abolish the housing levy if elected president. “I will restore the dignity of the payslip on the first day by scrapping the housing levy and handing over all those houses to the county governments to manage them and collect rent and pay rent to all those whose money was deducted,” he declared.
He further pledged to reverse Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s “shoot-on-the-leg” directive and restore safety in Nairobi by ending daylight robberies.