Rigathi Gachagua with newly elected Ol-Kalou MP Sammy Kamau Ngotho in Meru yesterday. Photos/Courtesy.
The former DP who attended a Mass and later addressed public meetings in the area faulted Ruto administration on security
By MKT Correspondents
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua yesterday launched a fresh broadside against President William Ruto’s administration, alleging that corruption at the highest levels of government was behind the reported relocation of British Army Training Unit Kenya (BATUK) activities from Nanyuki to Tanzania.
He at the same time accused the government of failing to tackle insecurity and attempting to divide the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking after attending Mass at St. Teresa Catholic Church in Imenti Central Constituency, Meru County, Gachagua claimed that President Ruto’s administration attempted to solicit a KSh3 billion bribe to facilitate the renewal of the British Army’s training agreement in Kenya.
According to the former Deputy President, the alleged demand prompted the British government to cancel the renewal of the agreement and shift part of BATUK’s military training operations to neighbouring Tanzania. Gachagua further alleged that the corruption claims had strained relations between Kenya and the United Kingdom.
He warned that the reported withdrawal of BATUK operations would have serious economic consequences for Laikipia County, particularly Nanyuki town, whose economy has for decades benefited from military training exercises through employment, hospitality, transport and business opportunities.
Gachagua said hundreds of jobs and businesses were at risk if the military cooperation programme was significantly scaled down.
He also accused the National Assembly’s Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, chaired by Belgut MP Nelson Koech, of being part of what he described as a corruption syndicate that allegedly influenced the collapse of the agreement.
The former Deputy President shifted his attention to the country’s security situation, accusing Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of politicising national security instead of confronting criminal gangs and organised violence.
He claimed Kenya was becoming increasingly unsafe for investors and foreign visitors, maintaining that his earlier travel advisory warning tourists about insecurity remained in force.
Gachagua further alleged that the government had failed to deal decisively with goonism, claiming criminal groups continued to operate with impunity. The government has previously rejected similar allegations, with Interior CS Murkomen maintaining that Kenya remains secure and citing reduced cases of terrorism, banditry and other major crimes.
On politics, Gachagua condemned Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale over remarks he said were disrespectful to the people of the Mt Kenya region, accusing him of engaging in divisive politics.
He vowed that leaders whom he accused of insulting the region would face political consequences in the 2027 General Election.
The DCP leader also accused Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku of being used by President Ruto to divide the Mt Kenya region, insisting that efforts to split the community would not succeed.
Reiterating his campaign for regional unity, Gachagua urged Mt Kenya residents to remain united ahead of the next General Election, saying only a united voting bloc would safeguard the region’s political and economic interests.
After the church service, the former Deputy President toured several trading centres in Meru County, including Gathongo, Mikumbune, Kionyo and Igoji, where he addressed roadside rallies as part of his ongoing political mobilisation campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
He was accompanied by dozens of former, current and aspiring leaders from different parts of the country.
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