Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has said he made repeated efforts to advise former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua before his eventual removal from office.
Speaking on Saturday, August 15, during a meeting with Mount Kenya East leaders, Kindiki revealed that he visited Gachagua several times at night while serving as Interior Cabinet Secretary. He said he urged Gachagua to maintain a strong working relationship with President William Ruto, arguing that such loyalty could benefit him politically in the future.
Kindiki claimed, however, that Gachagua ignored his counsel and instead treated him with disrespect. He suggested that some of the conversations they had remain private, but maintained that he had warned Gachagua about the consequences of his approach.
According to Kindiki, Gachagua’s confidence eventually became a major factor in his downfall. He also pushed back against what he described as Gachagua’s tendency to look down on him, stressing that holding a senior political office does not make anyone superior to others.
The Deputy President also addressed Gachagua’s growing political activities ahead of the 2027 General Election. While acknowledging his right to pursue his political ambitions, Kindiki made it clear that he would continue supporting President Ruto and would politically oppose Gachagua.
Kindiki further questioned Gachagua’s political track record, pointing to his own involvement in major political events before Gachagua became nationally prominent. He cited the period when Ruto and former President Uhuru Kenyatta faced cases at the International Criminal Court, saying he was already actively involved in the political struggles surrounding that period.
He accused Gachagua of attempting to mislead the Mount Kenya community and vowed to oppose efforts that could create political divisions in the region.
Kindiki also reminded his audience that political power is temporary, citing former presidents Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta as examples of leaders who eventually left office.
His remarks highlight the increasingly bitter political rivalry between Gachagua and leaders aligned with the Kenya Kwanza administration as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections.