President William Ruto has come out strongly to defend Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah and a section of young leaders in Mt Kenya, warning them against intimidation and political blackmail.
Speaking during the burial of the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho in Nyandarua, Ruto urged young politicians to remain firm, insisting that leadership is determined by God and the voters, not individuals.
“I want to encourage the young leaders of our nation, do not be intimidated. Msitishwe na mtu yeyote… hakuna mtu anaamua hatma ya mtu mwingine; ni Mungu na wapigakura,” Ruto said.
His remarks appeared to be a direct response to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who had earlier warned the President over Ichung’wah’s conduct ahead of his planned visit to Kikuyu.
Gachagua claimed the Majority Leader was allegedly mobilising goons to disrupt his tour slated for Saturday, April 11, in Kikuyu constituency and urged Ruto to rein in the legislator.
He further cautioned that the President risks losing Mt Kenya support by surrounding himself with leaders who, in his view, do not tell him the truth and or reality in the ground.
The burial, held in Ol Kalou, quickly turned into a political battleground, with sharp exchanges between rival camps playing out in full view of mourners.
At the same event, Nyandarua Senator John Methu also took on Ichung’wah, at one point daring him to ‘attack’ Gachagua like he does while in other regions.
The situation escalated, with Methu being briefly blocked from the podium as tensions rose.
Ruto, however, used his speech to push back against what he termed as intimidation politics, telling young leaders not to “worship human beings” but instead focus on serving wananchi.
“Don’t be blackmailed… mheshimu Mungu na mfanyie kazi wananchi. Hawa wananchi ni werevu, watawachagua kwa kazi, si kwa fitina, matusi ama sarakasi,” he added.
The public exchange underscores the deepening political rift between Ruto and his former deputy, now playing out in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region as early realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election begin to take shape.
