CS Ruku dismisses Gachagua’s ‘grandmother visit’ claim in fired-up Mbeere rally

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has dismissed as falsehoods claims that DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua recently visited the CS’s grandmother in Mbeere for tea.

Ruku who spoke during a campaign rally for UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende, a day after Gachagua made the remarks, instead said the former deputy president is peddling lies to score political points in the Mbeere North by-election.

“Wewe Riggy wewe, unadanganya Wakenya kwamba umeenda kwa nyanya yangu kukunywa chai (You Riggy, you are lying to Kenyans that you have gone to my grandmother’s house to take tea),” he fired back.

“I do not have a mother, a father, and I did not even see my own grandmother with my eyes. So we want to tell you, we are alert, and you will not get away with your lies.”

Ruku said Gachagua’s statement was insensitive and disrespectful.

He added that the false narrative was part of a wider attempt by Gachagua to portray political closeness with local families in order to sway voters.

Gachagua had told residents that he had visited the CS’s grandmother as proof of his connection to the community.

At the same rally attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Ruku also dismissed allegations that government officials were using cash handouts to influence the by-election, saying the people of Mbeere North cannot be bought.“Mbeere North deserves a leader who will not only represent them in Parliament but also stand firm for the issues that affect their daily lives,” he added.

The by-election has drawn intense interest from both sides of the political divide, with top national figures trooping to the constituency in recent days.