Itumbi recalls how Gachagua manhandled him and how insecure he is
Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua struggles with low self-esteem, adding that his public image differs sharply from his private character.
Speaking during an interview with Alex Mwakideu on Friday, September 19, 2025, Itumbi described Gachagua as someone who projects strength in public but is insecure behind the scenes.
A lion in public, a timid cat in private
You might also like
According to Itumbi, the former deputy president often sought validation and struggled with self-confidence despite his fiery public speeches.
“He appears like a lion when he talks in public, but he is a timid cat in private,” Itumbi said. He further claimed that Gachagua would at times call him privately, asking for specific narratives to be pushed online to shape his political image.
Itumbi claimed that during his time working closely with political leaders, he witnessed the former deputy president urging him to make social media posts declaring him as the Mount Kenya kingpin.
This, Itumbi argued, was evidence of the former DP’s insecurity and dependence on external validation.
“Rigathi would call me into his office and tell me to write on Facebook that he is the Mount Kenya kingpin,” he explained, adding that such requests pointed to a deeper struggle with confidence.
According to him, Gachagua became aggressive when he refused to comply. “Alinishika mashati akitaka kunipiga juu nilikataa kuandika yeye ni kingpin,” he added.
Reliance on public opinion
Itumbi also said that Gachagua has an unusual obsession with public perception, constantly monitoring media coverage and social media conversations about himself. He said the deputy president would even scroll through online comments during official functions.
“Go back and look at those videos from cabinet meetings or public events,” Itumbi said. “You will see him holding newspapers and checking Facebook and WhatsApp to see what people are saying. That is the level of low self-esteem he suffers from.”
The remarks are the latest in a series of critical statements that have highlighted divisions within the political establishment.
While Gachagua has consistently positioned himself as a vocal defender of the Mount Kenya region, Itumbi’s claims cast doubt on the former deputy president’s personal confidence and leadership style.
Gachagua, who served as Kenya’s deputy president, has often been a central figure in political debates.
Itumbi’s remarks now add a new perspective to his public image, contrasting the fiery leader seen on political platforms with claims of a more reserved and insecure character in private settings.
