Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed allegations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linking him to individuals accused of threatening election violence in Mbeere North Constituency.
In a statement released on Thursday, November 13, CS Ruku responded to claims made in a letter attributed to the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader, which alleged that individuals shown in a viral video threatening violence are closely associated with him and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.
The Cabinet Secretary clarified that the individuals mentioned in the video clip are well-known to him but cannot be held personally accountable for their private statements or actions.
“For the record, Mr. Josiah Kariuki Ngari (alias Mtetezi Puff) and Ms Susan Nyaga are well known to me. However, I am not and cannot be personally responsible for their private activities or utterances. Hon. Gachagua’s letter is therefore nothing but one of his usual hate speeches that are meant to whip public emotions and hatred against me,” Ruku stated.
CS Ruku suggested that if Gachagua was genuinely concerned about the video clip, his first point of contact should have been the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), not making public accusations.
While acknowledging Gachagua’s constitutional rights to expression, political campaigning, and freedom of movement as guaranteed in Articles 33, 38, and 39 of the Constitution of Kenya, 2010, CS Ruku cautioned that these rights are not absolute.
“However, I must caution and remind Hon. Gachagua that the rights to expression, campaign for a political party or cause, and the freedom of movement are not absolute. The Constitution and or Acts of Parliament limit them. For instance, the right to freedom of expression does not extend to hate speech, advocacy for hatred, and infringement of other persons’ rights and reputations,” the statement read.
CS Ruku further clarified that the DCP is not participating in the parliamentary by-election scheduled for November 27, 2025, as it withdrew its nomination of Duncan Ireri Mbui.
The Cabinet Secretary accused Gachagua of planning to use his visit to Mbeere North from November 16 to intensify hate speeches and disrespect for the rights and reputations of President Dr. William Ruto, Deputy President Prof. Kindiki, Governor Hon. Mbarire, and himself, as well as the MP for Mbeere South Hon. Eng. Nebart Muriuki, Senator from Embu Hon. Alexander Mundigi, and others.
This development comes after Gachagua wrote to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja on November 12, 2025, demanding immediate action against individuals allegedly threatening election violence in Mbeere North Constituency ahead of the upcoming by-election.
In his letter, Gachagua raised concerns over widely circulated social media videos showing individuals issuing threats of violence ahead of the November 27 polls, which he claimed the IG was aware of.
The former Deputy President identified specific individuals he alleged were threatening violence.
Gachagua claimed these individuals had issued threats of violence against him and Mbeere North residents when he campaigned for his preferred candidate from November 16 to 24, 2025.
“Despite the evidence and information in your custody, the above persons have not been arraigned. We demand that ahead of the by-elections, the above persons must be arrested immediately, arraigned, and charged under the penal code,” the letter reads.
The DCP leader further alleged that the individuals appearing in the threatening video were closely associated with senior government officials, specifically naming Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire and Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku.
“We further demand that the people of Mbeere North be allowed to exercise their democratic right to vote a candidate of their choice; no one shall be allowed to force a candidate on the people,” he stated.
