Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made it clear that the people of Mt. Kenya do not need to pledge loyalty to any leader to receive government development.
Speaking from his home in Wamunyoro, he dismissed claims that development projects should be tied to political support.
He was responding to remarks by a government official who suggested that for the region to get infrastructure and economic projects, it must fully back President William Ruto.
Gachagua rejected this idea, stating that all Kenyans are taxpayers and deserve equal development regardless of their political stand.
“We pay taxes as any other region does. Nobody should threaten us with development as if they are doing us a personal favor,” Gachagua said.
He emphasized that development should be distributed fairly across the country without discrimination. His remarks come at a time when President Ruto has been touring different parts of the country to launch projects.
Recently, Ruto was in Garissa County, where he opened a Passport Application Centre, distributed 3,000 title deeds, and launched an affordable housing project.
The president assured Kenyans that his administration would ensure fair distribution of resources and that no region would be marginalized.
Despite these assurances, Gachagua remains unconvinced, claiming that some leaders are using development as a tool to silence those who express different opinions.
He urged Mt. Kenya residents to stand firm and not be coerced into supporting any political agenda in exchange for development.
He insisted that the government has a duty to serve all citizens equally, regardless of how they voted.
“We walked with the President to work for all Kenyans. There are no issues with him spreading development across the land, but nobody can blackmail us,” he stated.
Since his fallout with President Ruto, Gachagua has repeatedly accused some government officials of sidelining the Mt. Kenya region in key appointments and economic plans.
He claims that there is a deliberate effort to weaken the region politically by intimidating leaders who do not align with the government’s agenda.
His stance has sparked debate, with his supporters arguing that Mt. Kenya has contributed significantly to the country’s economy and should not be treated unfairly.
The growing tensions between Gachagua and the president’s allies indicate a widening rift that could shape the political landscape ahead of the 2027 elections.
His firm position on Mt. Kenya’s place in national politics has made him a central figure in the region’s leadership debate.
With his supporters pushing for a bigger say in government, the battle for influence in the region is expected to intensify in the coming years.
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