Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, warning him against what he claims is a scheme to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome from office.
Gachagua, who has been increasingly vocal since his impeachment in October 2024, made the remarks in Meru on Sunday, where he vowed to resist any attempts to oust Koome.
Gachagua: Ruto Must Not Set Foot in Meru if He Ousts Koome
Addressing a charged crowd, Gachagua accused President Ruto of targeting CJ Koome because she refused to bow to political pressure.
He warned the head of state that such a move would not go unchallenged, stating that Ruto would not be welcome in Meru should he proceed with his alleged plans.
“She is being fought because she has refused to be a ‘yes sir’ person. If you chase our Martha Koome, do not set foot in Meru. You chased Rigathi Gachagua, and the Mt. Kenya people were silent. You thought they were cowards,” he thundered.
“We are telling you, if you dare plan to chase Martha Koome, stay in Nairobi and do not step in Meru again.”
“Leave Women Alone, Fight Your Fellow Men”
Gachagua did not hold back in his criticism, challenging Ruto to direct his political battles towards fellow men rather than attacking women.
He insinuated that the president’s alleged efforts to remove Koome were part of a broader pattern of targeting individuals who refused to align with his leadership.
“You fought with me because I am a man, but leave Martha Koome alone. She is a woman. Why are you fighting women? Can you fight your fellow men?” he asked.
Meru Leaders Accused of Silence Amid Crisis
The ousted deputy president also took a swipe at political leaders in Meru, accusing them of standing idly by as CJ Koome faced political attacks. He alleged that the region’s elected leaders had been compromised and were failing to defend their own.
“Martha Koome is being chased out, and the Senator is silent. All ten MPs are silent. What is happening to the people of Meru? These are the descendants of the Mau Mau. What has happened to the leadership of Meru?” he questioned, expressing disappointment in their silence.
Threatens Mass Protests If Koome is Ousted
Gachagua further warned that should CJ Koome be removed from office, he would mobilize the people of Meru to take to the streets in protest against what he sees as a broader assault on the Mt. Kenya region.
“If this woman is fired, I will blow the whistle, and you must come out to the streets. Will you come out? We are not going to sit by while William Ruto destroys the leadership of Mt. Kenya. It’s too much; it cannot be allowed to continue,” he declared.
“Ruto Has Betrayed the Mt. Kenya Region”
In his continued assault on the president, Gachagua accused Ruto of treating the Mt. Kenya region as disposable, saying that the community had been used for political gain and then abandoned.
“How do you take an entire community as fools? You have used us like tissue paper. We elected you, and now you have turned against us. But God will not allow you to finish this community,” he stated passionately.
Gachagua’s Ongoing Feud with Ruto
Since his impeachment, Gachagua has not shied away from criticizing President Ruto and his administration. He has accused the government of poor governance, economic mismanagement, and now, an orchestrated attack on judicial independence. His latest remarks indicate an escalation in tensions between the two former allies, with Gachagua seemingly positioning himself as a defender of the Mt. Kenya region against perceived injustices.
As the political battlelines deepen, it remains to be seen how President Ruto will respond to Gachagua’s threats and whether the alleged push against CJ Koome will materialize. One thing, however, is clear: the political temperature in Kenya is rising, and Gachagua is not backing down.
