Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has thrown
down the gauntlet to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, daring him to
field a candidate in the upcoming Mbeere North by-election if he believes he
commands influence in Mt. Kenya.
Speaking on Tuesday night, Ruku dismissed Gachagua as a
general without followers and a lightweight in the region, insisting the Gachagua’s
popularity in the region was overrated.
The CS said the President already has his candidate, and he
is the person who will carry the day in the November 27 by-election.
“If he claims to be the leader of Mt. Kenya, let him field
his DCP candidate in Mbeere North so we can square it out. He will then realise that the true leader of Kenya is President William Ruto. Ruto has a candidate
from his party, and that is the person who will win the by-election on November
27,” Ruku said.
The CS further challenged Gachagua, who has declared
interest in the presidency, to test his strength through his Democracy for the
Citizens Party (DCP) in the by-election.
“If you truly believe you are the undisputed leader of Mt.
Kenya, Rigathi Gachagua, then bring your DCP candidate. Let us face off, and
you will see that you are not popular. He can bring his candidate or support whoever
he wants, but we will still send them home,” he added.
Ruku insisted that the by-election would be a litmus test of
President Ruto’s influence in the Mt. Kenya region, saying the outcome would
prove where the people’s loyalty lies.
“The popularity of President Ruto in Mt. Kenya will be clear
that day,” he declared.
This comes even though Gachagua’s party announced that it would not
field a candidate in the by-election.
DCP instead said that it will back the candidate vying on
its affiliate party, the Democratic Party.
Gachagua said the decision was informed by the need to build
cordial relations with like-minded partners within the United Opposition ahead
of the 2027 general elections.
“We have agreed that DCP will support the Democratic Party
in Mbeere North constituency, acknowledging that the seat was previously held
by the Democratic Party and should rightfully be retained for the party’s
candidate to complete a full term,” Gachagua said.
The DP unveiled Newton Kariuki as their candidate in the
by-election a few days ago.
UDA also unveiled Leo Muriuki as their candidate.
The Mbeere North seat fell vacant after Geoffrey Ruku, then incumbent MP, was appointed to the Cabinet by President Ruto to head
the Public Service and Human Capital Development docket on March 26, 2025.
