Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku has fired back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, dismissing claims that the DP visited his grandmother for breakfast during a campaign stop in Mbeere North.
The rumour exploded online after photos circulated showing Gachagua making early morning house-to-house visits in the constituency on Monday, November 17, as he campaigned for Democratic Party (DP) candidate Newton Karish.
With by-elections just days away, tensions and political rivalry in the area are running high, especially with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) team pushing for their candidate, Leonard Muthende, who hopes to succeed Ruku as MP.
But what seemed like an ordinary campaign moment quickly took a bizarre twist. Social media users began claiming that one of the homes Gachagua visited belonged to Ruku’s grandmother.
Ruku, clearly irritated by the allegation, publicly debunked it during a rally.
“Riggy G, stop lying to people that you visited my grandmother yesterday morning. That is nonsense,” he said firmly. “My parents passed away a long time ago. Even the people of Muminji know this. How then can my grandmother be alive?”
Ruku didn’t stop there. He also took aim at Citizen TV, accusing the station of amplifying the false narrative.
“I saw Citizen TV reporting the same thing. They are used to misleading Kenyans,” he told the crowd. “We want to tell them from here in Muminji do not bring your attitude and enmity into Mbeere North.”
The political temperature in the region continues to rise ahead of the November 27 by-election. Both major camps have taken their campaigns directly to the people village visits, small gatherings, and door-to-door engagements.
Gachagua has been leading the team supporting DP’s Karish after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) candidate dropped out to back him. On the other side, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and CS Ruku are rallying behind UDA’s Leonard Muthende.
The winner of the race will replace Ruku, who vacated his parliamentary seat after being appointed Public Service Cabinet Secretary a position previously held by Justin Muturi, also from the region.
With two heavy political camps battling it out and leaders vowing to remain on the ground until voting day, Mbeere North is bracing for an intense final stretch of campaigning and, evidently, a fair share of political drama.
