Gachagua asks Mt Kenya residents to prepare for money collection ahead of Ruto’s tour
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday, March 29, 2025, delved deeper into the planned President William Ruto’s tour to the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking in Naivasha, where he attended the consecration and installation ceremony for the Reverend Harrison Munyua at Redeemed Church, the former DP confirmed that the head of state was expected to visit the region, almost six months after they parted ways following an impeachment motion.
In what appeared to be a soft stance, Gachagua told Mt Kenya residents to prepare for handouts, for which he claimed money had been packed in sacks ahead of the tour.
The former DP told the residents not to sell their claps and cheers cheaply, asking them to charge exorbitantly if paid to listen to Ruto. Specifically, he told the residents not to accept anything less than Ksh3,000.
Nonetheless, Gachagua warned Mt Kenya residents against taking the money home and using it to pay school fees or buy livestock. He argued that the money, which he claimed was to be splashed during the tour, was cursed
“Si ata saizi anajiandaa kuja kutembea uko, anakuja kusema ukweli ama uongo? Si mnajua, lakini tumesema msijali (Even now, he is preparing for a visit; he is coming to say the truth or lies? You already know but we have said do not worry about that)
“Pesa imepangwa kwa magunia mujitayarishe, mkule lakini msipeleke hio nyumbani imelaaniwa. Mkule pale kwa market pekee yake na msichanganye ha ile yenu ya zamani (Money has been packed in sacks so prepare yourselves eat the money but do not take it home or mix with your money),” Gachagua warned.
“Na tumesema kama ni kuskiza uonge, mlipishe bei ghali. Sasa usipewe mia mbili kuskiza uongo utakuwa wewe ni mjinga (And we have said, if it is listening to lies then you must charge expensive. So do not receive Ksh200 to listen to lies, you will be fools). Listening to lies is Ksh3,000 and above,” he affirmed.
Gachagua, however, did not substantiate his claims that money was set to be splashed ahead of Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour.
Message to Ruto
At the same time, Gachagua asked Ruto to tour the region, prepared to give money, arguing that the residents supported him without demanding handouts in the 2022 General Election.
In anticipation of his tour, the head of state dispatched top government officials to prepare the ground, which has been viewed as hostile since the ejection of Gachagua from office.
Large billboards welcoming Ruto have been erected in major towns across Mt. Kenya, including Kiambu, Nyeri, and Kirinyaga; along Thika Road; and in Embu.
His deputy, Kithure Kindiki, also spent a considerable amount of time touring various places in Mt Kenya to set the ground for Ruto’s visit, which is expected to commence in the coming week.
