“Ruto Pushing Tribalism Narrative to Punish Mt Kenya” – Gachagua

Former Deputy President and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has rejected tribalism as Kenya’s main problem and accused President William Ruto of deliberately fuelling an ethnic narrative to isolate him and the Mt Kenya region.

“The problem in Kenya is not tribalism. No community has a problem with any other community,” Gachagua said

The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader insisted that ordinary Kenyans from every ethnic group coexist peacefully, intermarry, do business together and worship side by side, saying the tribalism accusation is a fabricated tool wielded by a handful of political elites.

He further added: “What you are seeing is not tribal hatred among the people. It is a narrative being pushed by President Ruto and his people to isolate me and the entire Mt Kenya region, They want to brand us tribalists so they can justify marginalising a community that gave them overwhelming votes.”

The impeached former Deputy President maintained that the real crises facing Kenyans, skyrocketing living costs, youth unemployment, runaway corruption and unfair taxation, cut across tribal lines and are being deliberately overshadowed by state-sponsored ethnic rhetoric.

“Show me one village where Kikuyus are fighting Luos or Kalenjins are chasing away Luhyas. It simply doesn’t happen,” he challenged the crowd. “Kenyans want jobs, affordable food and accountable leadership, not tribal wars cooked up in State House.”

Mr. Gachagua called on Kenyans to reject what he termed state-sponsored division ahead of the 2027 elections and unite against leaders who enrich themselves while ordinary people suffer.

Political analysts see the remarks as part of Gachagua’s strategy to shed the regional kingpin image and position the newly formed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) as a national vehicle for his anticipated presidential bid