PHOTO/@rigathi/X
Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Kithure Kindiki paid Members of Parliament from Meru County up to Ksh5 million each to stop him from holding political meetings in the region.
Speaking in Meru during a Sunday service at AIPCA ST. Mary’s Church, Buuri Constituency, Meru County, on June 22, 2025, Gachagua said that President Ruto’s allies were panicking after the overwhelming reception he received during his three-day tour of the county.
“Tumekuwa hapa Meru nyumbani, the land of my mother, na tumefurahi sana. Huyu Ruto alikuwa amesema tusikanyage Meru.”
Translation: “We have been here in Meru, my mother’s land, and we’ve been very happy. Ruto had said we shouldn’t set foot in Meru.”
Gachagua said that on the first day of the tour in Imenti, area MPs were given Ksh2 million by Kindiki to hire youth and disrupt his rallies.
“Wale wabunge wakapatiwa na yule mtu wa soprano shilingi millioni mbili watafute vijana watupige mawe tusiende kwa mikutano.”
Translation: “MPs were given Ksh2 million by the man with the soprano voice to hire youth to stone us and stop us from holding meetings.”
But instead of turning violent, Gachagua said, the youth turned up at his events chanting “one term”
“Wale vijana waliokuwa wamepewa pesa Nkubu na Meru Tuskys, kuona mimi wakaanza kuimba ‘one term’, wakaingia kwa mkutano wangu.”
Translation: “The youth who had been given money at Nkubu and Meru Tuskys saw me and began chanting ‘one term’ and joined my rally.”
MPs bribed to block Gachagua
Gachagua said that after this unexpected show of support, panic set in among Ruto’s team. He claimed that Kindiki then held an emergency meeting with MPs from Igembe and other constituencies, urging them to block Gachagua from stepping into their areas.
“Sasa ndiye huyu mtu wa soprano akapanick usiku mzima ni kukaza wajumbe wa Igembe, huyu mtu asikubaliwe kukanyaga Igembe.”
Translation: “That’s when the man with the soprano voice panicked and spent the whole night pressuring Igembe MPs not to allow me to step foot there.”
He further claimed the MPs used this moment to demand more funds, arguing that the initial allocation was not enough to contain Gachagua’s growing popularity.
“Ile pesa ya budget ulitupatia haitoshi. Utuongezee millioni mbili.”
Translation: “The money you gave us in the budget wasn’t enough. Add two million more.”
Gachagua stated that MPs from Tigania East, Igembe Central, Igembe North, and even South were each increased to Ksh5 million on the condition that they help silence him in the region.
“Na wakaassure William Ruto as long as you are in Meru County, huyo mkabila hatakubaliwa kuongea ata na watu kumi hii county.”
Translation: “They assured William Ruto that as long as he’s in Meru, that tribalist will not be allowed to speak to even ten people in this county.”
The remarks highlight the growing tension between Gachagua and his former boss, President Ruto, ahead of the 2027 elections. Gachagua, now in opposition under the DCP banner, has been mounting strong grassroots campaigns in Mt Kenya East, directly challenging Ruto’s grip on the region.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
