By Bonface Mulyungi

Former Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria has hit out at  former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leadership over allegations linking him to organised violence in the Mount Kenya region, daring them to “bring it on” but pleading that public servants be spared from the political mudslinging.

Speaking at a press conference in Karen, Nairobi, on Wednesday, Kuria said he had been forced to address the media after what he described as a “dangerous pattern” of DCP leaders dragging his name into claims of orchestrating violence within the region.

“Every time Honourable Rigathi Gachagua is addressing a rally, it is about Mount Kenya region. I don’t want to be dragged into that parochial, narrow, tribal prism of looking at me from the lens of my tribe or where I come from,” Kuria said.

The former Cabinet Minister said the allegations began on Tuesday morning when the Mukurweini MP, during an interview on Inooro FM, alluded to his role in organising violence.

Hours later, DCP Secretary-General Senator John Methu, in a separate press conference, alleged that Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, and Kuria himself were responsible for stoking violence within the region.

“How can I, Moses Kuria, a son of Mount Kenya region, organise violence against my own people? How? How unfair would that be?” Kuria posed.

He said the claims were part of a calculated effort to destroy his credibility among his own people, adding that previous attempts to brand him a traitor had failed to stick.

“The latest bogeyman is violence. And I’m speaking on violence because I’ve been here. I was there in the post-election violence. I was there handling the IDPs. Some people, like Rigathi Gachagua, have zero experience in this country. A man who joined provincial administration as a DO and retired as a DO — zero promotion. Such a colourless career.”

Kuria dismissed Gachagua as a leader who “cannot vie even for the captain of Kirinyaga Boys” owing to his impeachment, and questioned why the former deputy president was turning Mount Kenya into a theatre of political violence.

“If Kalonzo wants to be president, let him start in Saikuri, let him start in Mwingi. If Fred Matiang’i wants demonstrations, let him burn Kisii. Why does my region always have to pay the price?” Kuria asked.

He accused the DCP of planning “something very sinister” around the Gen Z movement, the court case surrounding Gachagua’s impeachment, and the upcoming Saba Saba and Vasari events.

Kuria said he had reported the matter to security agencies and received assurance that security would be “fully alert” and would “deal ruthlessly” with anyone threatening lives and property.

Noting that the DCP party had publicly stated its supporters would not engage in violence, Kuria argued this had effectively given the government a “licence” to use full force against any troublemakers.

“If anybody tries to cause loss of lives, damage to property — it is because by now we know they are not DCP people. They have said they are not their people. So if we act swiftly and with full force of the law on anybody causing disruptions, they should not cry,” he said.

Kuria also took aim at the media, urging journalists to hold leaders accountable for the claims they make, particularly as the country approaches the election season.

“The bar of proof has fallen. You no longer hold leaders to prove what they say. If you make a false claim about violence, it is as bad as somebody who perpetrates violence. There is no difference.”

In a striking shift of tone, Kuria appealed that serving public officers be left out of the political crossfire.

“Please kindly spare our public officers. Come for me. It’s okay. Me, I’m up to it. I have whatever it takes. Bring it on. But please spare our public servants.”

He further claimed that some opposition leaders currently allied with Gachagua were in talks to join the government, warning the Mount Kenya region to be vigilant.

“Why would I waste my fare to go to Kalonzo, then back to government? To go to Matiang’i, and then back to government? Because these people are talking to us and they want to join government.”

Kuria confirmed he had reported the allegations to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) for investigation.