Mandera Woman Rep challenges Gachagua to give proof on terrorism remarks
By Aloys Michael, August 11, 2025Mandera Woman Representative Umulkheir Kassim has strongly challenged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua to substantiate his recent explosive claims that President William Ruto met with an Al-Shabaab leader.
Speaking during a development tour in Turkana on Monday, August 11, 2025, Kassim dismissed the accusations as reckless, dangerous, and politically motivated.
“My friend, you are going to belong where you belong because the arm of government is going to catch up with you, and you are going to explain when and where the president met with the Al Shabaab,” she said.
“He has overstepped the boundaries. He has seen President Ruto’s development projects reach us, and it is making his stomach uneasy.”
Kassim, a vocal supporter of the Kenya Kwanza administration, defended the president’s record, particularly in marginalised counties like Mandera and Turkana.
“We have no apology to make for supporting President Ruto,” she said.
The Woman Rep accused the former deputy president of undermining national unity and security through baseless claims.
Gachagua on terror
Gachagua was on Saturday, August 8, 2025, asked to record a statement of his claims that President William Ruto’s administration has links with terror groups.
In his ongoing tour of the United States, Gachagua claimed that Ruto met with Al-Shabaab militia members at night to discuss “business.” He has further linked the Head of State to financing Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Gachagua said he does not owe any explanation to the Kenyan government, but to the American Senate, which is actively investigating the matter.
“We can not help in any investigations because the Kenyan government has not initiated any investigations against William Ruto. The people who have initiated the investigation are the American Senate, so if there is a need for us to help in investigations, we will help the American Senate, not the Kenyan government,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua argued that an impartial investigation into President Ruto is impossible, given that the police operate directly under his command.
He also warned Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki against attempting to intimidate him, saying, “selling fear to him” wouldn’t work.
“It is the same Kindiki who, after five chiefs were abducted by Al-Shabaab, claimed they would negotiate for their release. How can you negotiate with people you do not know?” he posed.