Kiambu: Rigathi Gachagua Mimics, Rebukes Kithure Kindiki amid Surging Murder Cases in Meru

Kiambu: Rigathi Gachagua Mimics, Rebukes Kithure Kindiki amid Surging Murder Cases in Meru

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, accusing him of failing to address escalating insecurity in the Meru County region amid reports of rising killings and livestock theft.

Speaking at a public gathering in Githunguri Constituency on March 21, Gachagua alleged that Kindiki ignored repeated appeals to intervene while serving as Cabinet Secretary for Interior, a period during which violence in parts of Meru reportedly intensified.

Recounting a past conversation, the former Deputy President claimed he personally contacted Kindiki to raise concerns about the safety of residents, arguing that security efforts appeared concentrated in other regions affected by banditry.

“When I was the deputy president and Kindiki was the Interior CS, I called him and told him, ‘I see you visit Baringo and West Pokot every week fighting livestock thieves. It is okay, but the residents of Meru are killed daily and their livestock are stolen,’” Gachagua said, adding that Kindiki allegedly urged him to be patient while prioritizing presidential directives.

In a dramatic moment that drew reactions from supporters, Gachagua mimicked Kindiki’s voice, claiming the then-Interior CS had responded that his primary duty was to assist President William Ruto.

The DCP leader further asserted that his requests for additional police deployment to Meru went unheeded, leaving communities exposed to persistent attacks. He criticized what he described as frequent official visits to the region without tangible improvements in security.

“To date, he frequents Meru. The residents are killed daily, and cattle are stolen, even yesterday night,” he claimed, questioning the effectiveness of the government’s response.

Gachagua escalated his criticism by accusing the Deputy President of focusing on political activities rather than substantive action, remarks that underscored deepening tensions between the two leaders since Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.

“You keep on flying around in airplanes with cash bundled in sacks to tell us that you are ‘fire.’ You are a fake deputy president,” he alleged, without providing evidence to support the claims.

The former Deputy President insisted that under his leadership, such insecurity would not have been tolerated, positioning himself as a defender of the interests of the Mt. Kenya region both politically and economically.

He urged residents to reject leaders he described as betraying the region after elections, warning against political alliances that, in his view, undermine local priorities.

The remarks come amid an ongoing political rivalry between Gachagua and Kindiki, with both sides trading accusations over governance, development, and national leadership. Kindiki has previously defended the government’s security efforts, attributing challenges to complex criminal networks and difficult terrain in affected areas.

In related developments, former Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi also criticized regional leadership for what he termed silence in the face of escalating banditry. He cited a recent incident in which at least two people were killed and more than 150 livestock stolen, describing it as evidence of worsening insecurity.

Linturi further alleged that some leaders had been discouraged from speaking out due to political pressure, claims that have not been independently verified.

He indicated that the DCP party was considering legal action to compel the government to take stronger measures, arguing that parliamentary avenues may be ineffective due to perceived bias.

Security analysts note that cattle rustling and armed attacks in parts of northern and eastern Kenya have long posed a challenge, often driven by competition over resources, proliferation of illegal firearms, and cross-border criminal networks.

As political leaders exchange accusations, residents in affected communities continue to call for concrete solutions to restore peace and protect livelihoods, particularly in areas where livestock remains a primary source of income.

The intensifying rhetoric signals a broader political contest over influence in the Mt. Kenya region ahead of future elections, even as the humanitarian and security concerns on the ground remain urgent.

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Kiambu: Rigathi Gachagua Mimics, Rebukes Kithure Kindiki amid Surging Murder Cases in Meru