Ruto Hits Back at Gachagua and Methu Over Heated Burial Exchange
President William Ruto strongly pushed back against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after sharp political remarks made during the burial ceremony of the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho in Nyandarua County.
The burial, which had drawn several senior political leaders, quickly turned into a stage for a fresh public clash between the two camps.
While addressing mourners, President Ruto appeared to directly answer Gachagua’s earlier comments, where the former DP had described himself as the political kingpin of the Mt Kenya region and implied that he would “allow” the President an opportunity to address the crowd.
Ruto firmly rejected that suggestion, making it clear that, as Head of State, he does not need anyone’s approval to speak to Kenyans anywhere in the country.
“I cannot be asked for permission by anybody, and I will not ask for permission from anyone. I will speak to the people of Kenya and continue serving them as their President,” Ruto said, in remarks that were widely seen as a direct response to Gachagua’s challenge.
The President also responded to criticism from Nyandarua Senator Joe Methu, who had faulted his administration over delays in road construction and other infrastructure projects in the county.
Rather than engaging in a war of words, Ruto said his answer would come through visible development and completed projects on the ground.
He told the mourners that although leaders had criticised him publicly, he would choose not to trade insults during such a solemn occasion.
Instead, he insisted that his focus remains on fulfilling the promises he made to residents, while at the same time warning against politics that promote division and tribal sentiments.
Ruto went on to say that any political differences between his side and Gachagua’s allies should be settled in the right political arena and not during a burial ceremony meant to honour the late MP.
Even so, he used the moment to defend National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and other young leaders who have recently come under pressure from critics.
The President encouraged younger politicians across the country to remain bold, focused, and committed to serving citizens without fear, intimidation, or political threats.
He emphasised that in the end, it is Kenyans—not rival politicians—who will decide the fate of leaders through the ballot.
The exchange came after both Gachagua and Senator Methu sharply criticised Ruto’s administration, accusing it of sidelining the Mt Kenya region in development despite the region’s strong support for him in the 2022 General Election.
Their speeches reflected growing political tensions in the region as leaders continue to position themselves ahead of future political battles.
In his own speech, Gachagua intensified the confrontation by accusing Ichung’wah of allegedly fuelling political violence in the Mt Kenya region.
The former Deputy President claimed that the Kikuyu MP was behind an alleged plan to hire goons to disrupt and attack his convoy before a planned visit to the lawmaker’s constituency—claims that further raised the political temperature at the event.
Gachagua also aimed fresh criticism at National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him of allowing MPs to mention his name in parliamentary debates without proper procedural protection under the Standing Orders.
According to Gachagua, this pointed to what he described as an emerging and worrying pattern of parliamentary bias against him.
Overall, what was meant to be a respectful farewell for the late David Kiaraho turned into yet another clear sign of the widening political rift between President Ruto and his former deputy, with Nyandarua becoming the latest battleground in the intensifying Mt Kenya power struggle.
I don’t need to ask anyone for permission to go anywhere in Kenya. I am the President of Kenya – Ruto pic.twitter.com/mVIjXKifK6
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) April 8, 2026
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