Ruto hits at Gachagua as Waiguru rallies Kirinyaga leaders at State House

President William Ruto on Wednesday launched a fresh onslaught against his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

He accused him of spreading misinformation about his administration’s relationship with the Mt Kenya region.

The President dismissed claims that his government has sidelined the region, terming them “lies and half-truths” aimed at eroding his support base.

He spoke at the State House, Nairobi, when he hosted thousands of grassroots leaders from Kirinyaga County.

“Let me ask you, the people of Kirinyaga, some people are trying to paint me in a bad light. They are saying that Ruto has removed the people of Mt Kenya from government,” he said.

Ruto pointed to the appointment of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki as evidence of the continued inclusion of leaders from the region in top government positions.

“Isn’t Prof Kindiki the Deputy President? Is he from Nyanza?” he posed.

The President used the meeting to reaffirm his long-standing ties with the Mt Kenya region, insisting his relationship with the people predates his presidency and cannot be shaken by political rivals.

“I am not a stranger here. Haven’t I come to Kirinyaga so many times? Our friendship did not start last week or last year. It started long ago,” he said.

Ruto added that he had worked closely with residents on development projects over the years, including the construction of schools, churches, roads and electrification programmes.

“I have come to Kirinyaga and built churches together, schools together, and worked on roads, electricity and affordable housing,” he said.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, who led the delegation, mounted a spirited defence of the President while launching a scathing attack on Gachagua and opposition leaders.

“If they see us quiet, they should not think we are cowards. We were just giving him time. We have woken up now,” Waiguru said.

She vowed to spearhead campaigns across the Mt Kenya region to consolidate support for Ruto ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We will walk around Kirinyaga and the entire Mt Kenya region, and they will be shocked by the number of votes that Ruto will get,” she said.

Waiguru dismissed calls for leaders from the region to join the opposition, arguing that it lacks unity and a clear agenda.

“You have looked at the opposition. They have like six presidential candidates, and then someone is telling us to leave the government and join them,” she said.

The governor maintained that the majority of elected leaders from Kirinyaga support the President, noting that only a handful are not aligned with the government.

“I am in government, and the MPs from Kirinyaga are also with you. All of them, apart from only two, are not with you,” she said.

Waiguru has emerged as one of Ruto’s fiercest defenders in the region and is widely seen as a key mobiliser of grassroots support.

Her growing political profile has sparked talk that she is among the heavyweights the President could consider as a potential running mate in the 2027 General Election.

Kindiki also took a swipe at Gachagua, faulting him for declaring himself the political kingpin of the Mt Kenya region and allegedly disrespecting other leaders.

“We have had many leaders, but none has bragged the way we are seeing now,” Kindiki said.

He cited former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, noting that none of them publicly claimed regional supremacy.

“When did you ever hear them declaring themselves kingpins? Aren’t we the ones who identified them?” he posed.

Kindiki called for issue-based politics, urging leaders to focus on development agendas rather than engaging in personal attacks.

“The competition we want is that of agenda and programmes, not insults. We want to know who has a plan for the people, and that is President William Ruto,” he said.

Beyond the political exchanges, Ruto used the meeting to outline key development projects and economic milestones achieved by his administration.

He announced that construction of a new airport to replace the ageing Jomo Kenyatta International Airport will begin within two months at an estimated cost of Sh180 billion.

“We will allocate funds from the National Infrastructure Fund and partner with the private sector to start construction in June,” he said.

The President added that the government has identified 12 dams and is finalising plans for the construction of 28,000 kilometres of roads through public-private partnerships.

“That is how to transform a country — with a vision and a plan,” he said.

On the economy, Ruto said Kenya has stabilised, citing reduced inflation, increased foreign exchange reserves and a stronger shilling.

“I can confidently tell you that there is a world of difference in the state of our economy from where we found it in 2022,” he said.

He noted that Kenya is now ranked the sixth-largest economy in Africa, up from eighth position in 2022, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Ruto also highlighted gains in the agricultural sector, saying tea earnings rose from an average of Sh140 billion annually to Sh215 billion in 2025.

In Kirinyaga, he directed the Kenya National Trading Corporation to purchase rice from farmers and ensure prompt payment, while assuring them that prices would not be reduced.

On healthcare, the President said the government has disbursed Sh2.8 billion to hospitals in the county under the Social Health Authority over the past year.

“This is just the beginning. We are refining SHA to serve Kenyans even better,” he said.

He added that 475,000 residents in Kirinyaga have registered under the scheme, making the county one of the top performers nationally.

Ruto further announced plans to distribute 13 milk coolers to local cooperatives, construct a Kenya Medical Research Institute centre in Mwea, and build a Level 4 hospital at a cost of Sh200 million.

Additionally, the government is investing Sh15 billion in housing, student hostels and markets, alongside Sh6 billion for road upgrades in the county.

The President assured leaders that all projects would be completed on schedule, reiterating that his administration remains committed to delivering development across the country.

He dismissed political criticism, insisting his bond with the Mt Kenya region remains strong and enduring.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

President William Ruto used a State House meeting with Kirinyaga leaders to dismiss Rigathi Gachagua’s claims that Mt Kenya has been sidelined, insisting the region remains well represented in government. Backed by Governor Anne Waiguru and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Ruto framed critics as divisive while rallying political support. He also highlighted key development projects and economic gains, positioning his administration as stable, inclusive and focused on delivery ahead of 2027.