Deputy President Rigathi Kindiki has publicly threatened to reveal damaging information about his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, sharply escalating a political rivalry that is dividing Kenya’s ruling party.
The threat was issued on November 23rd during a campaign event in Mbeere North, where Kindiki condemned Gachagua for repeatedly referring to him as a mere “employee” of President William Ruto.
“Gachagua, leave me alone! I will shame you. I am not someone to play with,” Kindiki declared to the crowd. He warned that if the insults continue, he would use sensitive information gathered during his tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary to expose Gachagua.
Kindiki launched a series of personal and political attacks, belittling Gachagua’s record. He claimed that as a one-term MP, Gachagua was a “backbencher” who never chaired a parliamentary committee, while he himself was Senate Majority Leader.
Further intensifying his criticism, Kindiki accused Gachagua of not being a “decent politician” and of using intimidation tactics against leaders in the Mount Kenya region. He also alleged that Gachagua orchestrated the “No Rigathi, No Ruto” protests to force his way onto the 2022 presidential ticket.
The public outburst underscores a deep fracture within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) as the party campaigns for a critical by-election.
By James Kisoo
