NAIROBI, Kenya, Feb 2 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at his successor, Kithure Kindiki, accusing him of using the official Deputy President’s Residence in Karen for political mobilization ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday, Gachagua took issue with the series of large delegation meetings Kindiki has hosted at the residence, alleging that they are not about development, as claimed, but rather a strategy to consolidate support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
Although Kindiki maintains that the gatherings—often attended by over 100 people, including lawmakers from Embu, Murang’a, and the Maa regions—are focused on development, Gachagua dismissed this narrative, claiming the residence has been turned into an “arena for advancing selfish political agendas.”
He went further to allege that attendees are being financially incentivized.
“It is unfortunate that the government has diverted public funds—funds meant for hospitals, for women, for education—to bribe the people of Mt. Kenya to return to the President and the person he appointed after impeaching me,” Gachagua said.
“All that is happening in State House and Karen is bribery, and it is a scene of crime,” he added, alleging that each member of the delegations leaves the Karen residence with at least KSh 10,000.
Kindiki, who has hosted over 30 lawmakers at the residence, has reportedly urged patience as the three-year-old administration works to implement delayed development projects and fulfill pre-election promises. However, Gachagua insists that the gatherings are politically motivated, deepening the ongoing rift within the ruling coalition.
