Backlash in Kirinyaga as Gachagua Accused of Disrespecting Governor Waiguru

Hundreds of residents gathered in Kirinyaga County on Monday, 13 October, to protest remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against Governor Anne Waiguru and other local leaders.

The demonstrations took place along the Kutus-Samson Road, with protesters, many of them women, carrying placards, chanting slogans, and lighting bonfires. The protest followed Gachagua’s comments during a church service at Ambassador of Christ Church in Mwea, where he criticised certain Mount Kenya leaders for supporting President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration.

Gachagua accused the leaders of betraying the region by backing the formation of new political parties, which he said threatened to divide Mount Kenya’s political base. He promised to name those he called “traitors,” saying he would do so regardless of their gender. 

He singled out Governor Waiguru, alleging that she was being pushed to create her own political party ahead of the 2027 general elections, a move he dismissed using the term “wheelbarrow,” often used in Kenya as a political insult. Waiguru has not issued a formal response, but her supporters defended her leadership and electoral mandate. 

“We voted her in,” one protester said. “When he insults the governor, he insults us.”

Placards carried during the demonstration read messages such as “Respect Women Leaders” and “The Choice is Ours,” reflecting both support for Waiguru and resistance to what protesters viewed as gender-based political attacks. 

The large turnout of women also pointed to wider discontent over perceived patriarchal tendencies in regional politics. Gachagua also criticised the silence of Kirinyaga leaders on economic matters, particularly the importation of rice, which he said had hurt local farmers. He accused them of failing to safeguard the region’s agricultural interests.

In his remarks, Gachagua also challenged President Ruto, accusing him of applying double standards. He questioned why his efforts to consolidate Mount Kenya’s political voice were labelled tribalist, while Ruto’s meeting with KANU leader Gideon Moi had not drawn similar criticism.

Also present at the church event was opposition figure Martha Karua, who dismissed claims of internal rifts and hinted at a unified opposition strategy ahead of the next general election. She indicated that a joint presidential candidate would be announced in due course.