Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has rebuffed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent appeal to leaders in Mt Kenya East, describing it as a delayed and insincere gesture.
Ruku criticized Gachagua for calling Deputy President Kithure Kindiki “our son” and urging his supporters to cease attacks on him, arguing the remarks contradict Gachagua’s record while in office.
Highlighting appointments made during Gachagua’s tenure, Ruku alleged that Embu, Meru, and Tharaka-Nithi counties were largely excluded from key positions at the Office of the Deputy President, which he said favored Gachagua’s close allies instead.
He stated, “It is too late to call us 'our sons'. We have the list of his appointees at the Office of the Deputy President before his impeachment. There are no 'our sons' in it. Just his sons.”
Political Tensions in Mt Kenya East
Ruku’s remarks come amid a growing contest for political influence within the Mt Kenya bloc, particularly between leaders allied to President William Ruto and those aligned with Gachagua.
He further challenged Gachagua’s claims that Kindiki is being sidelined by the current administration, suggesting these statements are politically motivated efforts to position himself as a regional champion.
Ruku has previously advocated for Mt Kenya East leaders to pursue an independent political path if Mt Kenya West continues to resist recognizing Kindiki’s leadership.
This exchange underscores the deepening divisions within the region as leaders vie for control and representation ahead of upcoming political developments.
