DP Gachagua Clashes with Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria Amidst Government Divisions

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria clashed publicly on Saturday, highlighting widening divisions within President Ruto’s government.

Gachagua alleged that senior government officials had devised a plan to undermine him through secret meetings aimed at orchestrating his downfall.

He accused some MPs of being coerced into abandoning him, claiming they were threatened with the loss of development projects in their constituencies if they supported his unity bid.

“Some leaders are being intimidated. They are being coerced and threatened that if they support my unity bid, they will not have development projects in their constituencies,” Gachagua stated.

In response, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Kuria, one of Gachagua’s sternest critics, dismissed claims of efforts to drive the Mt Kenya region out of the government.

Kuria asserted, “I will not be part of a leadership that is going to cheat our people, a group that is going to lead our people astray. We have never sat down to plot for our downfall politically. Let us first enjoy the fruits of our labour in this administration before plotting our future.”

Speaking at the burial of tycoon Gerald Kanyuira in Kangema, Murang’a, Gachagua alleged that a Cabinet Secretary had been holding secret meetings with Members of County Assemblies (MCAs) from the Mt Kenya region, offering them Sh20,000 each to campaign against him.

He claimed that another group of MCAs had received Sh150,000 with similar instructions to malign his name.

Kuria later confirmed to The Sunday Standard that he had met with MCAs from Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties, emphasizing that the meeting’s agenda was to rally support behind President William Ruto’s administration.

“I met with MCAs from Kirinyaga and Nyeri counties and talked to them about supporting the government policies because it is us who voted for this administration,” he said, adding that he provided the MCAs with money to facilitate their travel.

Gachagua also accused another CS of renting an office in Karen, previously used by former Interior Minister Fred Matiang’i, to strategize against his unity campaign and sow discord within the community.

“I hear some people have been told to write that my children and I are buying homes and hotels, but I ask them how we will fail to buy yet we are business people,” he said.

Maintaining his stance as the voice of the voiceless, Gachagua emphasized his commitment to the unity and prosperity of the people. “Our people are already united, they are now waiting for what we will decide in the near future,” he said, promising to expose his detractors.

Gachagua criticized his opponents as brokers collecting stipends to facilitate the plot against him and condemned the arrogance and pride of some government officials. “It is unfortunate that when they were telling people the country has no money and imposing high taxes, some were carrying money in sacks and dishing it out in fundraisings,” he remarked.

He urged government officials to address the electorate with humility and respect, reminding them that the electorate is their boss.