Political tensions within the Mt. Kenya region escalated sharply after former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria accused ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of masterminding chaos and an alleged attack on Lamu Woman Representative Muthoni Marubu during a meeting in Murang’a.
Kuria, in a scathing statement on Saturday, said he had narrowly avoided violence himself after leaving Makomboki, where he had attended the burial of Alice Wangari Gakuya, the mother of Embakasi North MP James Gakuya. He claimed there was a plot to attack leaders perceived to be opposed to Gachagua.
“What I did not know is that they could go to the extent of assaulting a woman — Lamu Woman Rep Muthoni Marubu,” Kuria said, describing the incident as crossing a dangerous line in Kenyan politics.
The chaos erupted earlier when Marubu publicly declared her support for President William Ruto’s 2027 reelection bid while addressing a gathering attended by Gachagua. Her remarks praising development in the Mt. Kenya region triggered heckling and disruptions from sections of the crowd.
Kuria condemned the incident, drawing historical comparisons and questioning whether past presidents would have sanctioned violence against women.
“I have asked before whether Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki or Uhuru Kenyatta could order violence against women,” he said, before launching a blistering attack on Gachagua, whom he labelled “a coward, a despot and a dangerous man.”
“From today, prepare for a battle royale. You have crossed the red line,” Kuria warned, signaling an open political confrontation.
The remarks underscore growing divisions within the Mt. Kenya political establishment as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. Analysts say the fallout from the Murang’a incident could further polarize the region, which remains a critical battleground in national politics.
No official response had been issued by Gachagua by the time of publication.