Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has put former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on notice over his growing political mobilisation, claiming he is using inflammatory rhetoric and political networks to expand his influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Murkomen said he had been following Gachagua’s recent public pronouncements with concern, arguing that the former deputy president’s increasingly combative political messaging risked deepening divisions at a time when the country needed cohesion.
“I have been following with concern and shock Rigathi Gachagua’s public pronouncements and talks in recent days,” Murkomen said.
He claimed Gachagua was using political attacks, ethnic rhetoric and inflammatory language to consolidate his position among sections of the country and persuade politicians to join his political party.
Murkomen claimed Gachagua’s attempts to position himself as a regional kingpin should not be allowed to undermine national unity, dismissing the title as having no constitutional basis.
“Kingpinship is a vacuous title and the sole preoccupation of idle minds,” he said.
The CS also took issue with Gachagua’s repeated criticism of his handling of security matters, saying the attacks appeared intended to divert attention from the former deputy president’s own political activities.
He claimed Gachagua was attacking him personally while simultaneously mobilising political allies in different parts of the country.
“After realising that his attacks were not enough to shake my resolve, he has now changed tack and activated his political accomplices from Rift Valley to aid him in his plot,” Murkomen said.
The remarks come as Gachagua steps up efforts to build a broad opposition coalition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The former deputy president has been holding consultations with political leaders and delegations at his Wamunyoro residence as he seeks to consolidate support across different regions.
Gachagua has also been pushing the idea of bringing opposition parties together behind a single candidate capable of challenging President William Ruto.
Murkomen suggested that the former deputy president’s growing engagement with politicians in the Rift Valley was part of a wider strategy to expand his political base beyond Mt Kenya.
“It is no coincidence that Gachagua was today amplifying the false accusations made against me by his political allies in Parliament and public gatherings earlier in the week,” he said.
Murkomen urged Kenyans to be cautious of what he described as efforts to exploit political differences and ethnic identities for political gain.
“I urge the people to beware of this latest plot twist in Gachagua’s malignant influence,” he said.
The former deputy president was removed from office through impeachment last year and has since emerged as a prominent critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
His political activities have increasingly focused on building alliances across regions, while government allies have stepped up their criticism of his approach.
Murkomen maintained that the political attacks would not distract him from his responsibilities as Interior CS.
“I remain steadfast and unwavering in discharging my duties,” he said.
He added that, whenever his schedule allows, he would continue joining Kenyans in different parts of the country for worship and other social activities.
