Speaking to supporters in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Gachagua accused the president of spreading misinformation about Kenya’s coffee sector and dared him to address the issue in the region where the crop is widely grown.
The former deputy president claimed that the head of state had been making statements about him during political gatherings in other regions but had avoided doing so while in the Central Highlands.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeskia juzi ukienda kwa Wajaluo kuongea mambo ya kahawa, kudanganya Wajaluo ati mimi ndio niliharibu kahawa,” Gachagua said.
He went on to accuse the president of mismanaging the coffee sector, alleging that powerful cartels were allowed to thrive under his leadership.
“Kasongo wewe ndio uliharibu kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukasambaratisha sector ya kahawa. Ile shillingi bilioni saba iliweza kusaidia wakulima wa kahawa, ukachukua ukaiba,” he claimed.
Gachagua insisted that issues affecting coffee farmers should be addressed in the regions where the crop is produced.
“Mambo ya kahawa hapana ongea kwa Wajaluo. Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja Karumandi hapa uongee mambo ya kahawa,” he said.
Challenge to face him in Mt Kenya
The former deputy president further accused the president of attacking him politically while touring other regions such as Western Kenya and Luo Nyanza.
According to Gachagua, if the president had confidence in his political standing, he should openly criticise him while in Mt Kenya.
“Nimeona unaenda kwa Waluhya na kwa Wajaluo kutukana Riggy G. Jana ulikuwa Thika, ulikuwa Juja. Kama wewe ni mwanaume, kwa nini hukuongea mambo ya Riggy G ukiwa hapa mlimani?” he posed.
He then dared the president to confront him in Kirinyaga.
“Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa Kirinyaga utusi Rigathi Gachagua, kiongozi wa Mlima Kenya. Utajua hujui. Wewe Kasongo ni muoga.”
Heated exchanges escalate
The remarks come amid escalating public exchanges between the two leaders, who were once close allies during the 2022 election campaign.
In a recent rally in Kiambu County, Gachagua also questioned the president’s alleged pursuit of wealth.
“How much is enough, Mr Ruto? Just how much is enough? Unataka pesa ngapi?” he said.
President Ruto has responded to the accusations by criticizing Gachagua and other opposition leaders, accusing them of corruption and poor leadership.
“You cold-blooded thief, stealing from your own brother, stealing from orphans, stealing from widows, and you want to give us a lecture,” Ruto said during one of his recent addresses.
Ichung’wah heckled in Juja
Meanwhile, Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader, faced a hostile reception while addressing residents during a rally in Juja, Kiambu County, on Friday, March 27.
Ichung’wah, who had accompanied President Ruto on a development tour of the region, was heckled by sections of the crowd as he attempted to rally residents against opposition leaders and highlight government projects.
The interruptions forced him to cut his speech short before shifting his remarks to development initiatives.
The former deputy president further accused the president of attacking him politically while touring other regions such as Western Kenya and Luo Nyanza.
According to Gachagua, if the president had confidence in his political standing, he should openly criticise him while in Mt Kenya.
“Nimeona unaenda kwa Waluhya na kwa Wajaluo kutukana Riggy G. Jana ulikuwa Thika, ulikuwa Juja. Kama wewe ni mwanaume, kwa nini hukuongea mambo ya Riggy G ukiwa hapa mlimani?” he posed.
He then dared the president to confront him in Kirinyaga.
“Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa Kirinyaga utusi Rigathi Gachagua, kiongozi wa Mlima Kenya. Utajua hujui. Wewe Kasongo ni muoga.”
Heated exchanges escalate
The remarks come amid escalating public exchanges between the two leaders, who were once close allies during the 2022 election campaign.
In a recent rally in Kiambu County, Gachagua also questioned the president’s alleged pursuit of wealth.
“How much is enough, Mr Ruto? Just how much is enough? Unataka pesa ngapi?” he said.
President Ruto has responded to the accusations by criticizing Gachagua and other opposition leaders, accusing them of corruption and poor leadership.
“You cold-blooded thief, stealing from your own brother, stealing from orphans, stealing from widows, and you want to give us a lecture,” Ruto said during one of his recent addresses.
Ichung’wah heckled in Juja
Meanwhile, Kimani Ichung’wah, the National Assembly Majority Leader, faced a hostile reception while addressing residents during a rally in Juja, Kiambu County, on Friday, March 27.
Ichung’wah, who had accompanied President Ruto on a development tour of the region, was heckled by sections of the crowd as he attempted to rally residents against opposition leaders and highlight government projects.
The interruptions forced him to cut his speech short before shifting his remarks to development initiatives.
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