Kenya: Gachagua to Kindiki - 'If You Want Me to Be Your Brother, Stop Being Used By Ruto to Divide Mt Kenya'

What the report says

Former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his public disagreement with current Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, accusing him of helping President William Ruto weaken political unity in the Mt Kenya region. According to Capital FM’s report distributed by AllAfrica, Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday at a church service at PCEA Rev. Samuel Marima Memorial Church in Gatundu South, Kiambu County.

Gachagua said Kindiki would only be accepted as a “brother” if he stopped, in Gachagua’s view, being used to split the region along community and political lines. He argued that unity among the Kikuyu, Embu, Meru and related communities would be important ahead of Kenya’s 2027 general election, and warned that division could reduce the region’s political influence.

The report says Gachagua also pointed to Kindiki’s meetings with elders from Mt Kenya East as part of what he described as a broader strategy to fragment the area. He urged Kindiki to raise regional concerns directly with Ruto instead of participating in activities he believes deepen divisions. Gachagua also renewed criticism of the government over economic hardship and illicit alcohol in parts of the region.

Kindiki had responded a day earlier in Embu, saying he would continue to call Gachagua his brother because of the historical unity of the communities, not personal closeness. The exchange highlights a growing rivalry between the two deputy presidents, with Mt Kenya politics likely to remain a major issue as the 2027 election approaches.