Deputy President William Ruto’s political woes could be far from over after his close ally and MP was allegedly chased away by a rowdy crowd in his own constituency.
According to a video shared online by ODM Director of Communications Philip Etale, Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua was allegedly chased away in his own constituency, Karatina town by a crowd chanting Uhuru’s name.
It is claimed the locals chased away the Ruto allied MP while accusing him of disrespecting President Uhuru, who is also considered one of the key influential kingpins in Mt. Kenya region.
It is reported that the MP, who was in his car at the time of the incident, hurriedly left the venue without uttering any word.
“When the residents of Mathira constituency got tired with their MP Rigathi Gachagua’s empty rhetoric and politics of hate; they told him off. He couldn’t utter a word,” posted Etale on Twitter.
Mathira Constituency MP Rigathi Gachagua was today heckled in his own bedroom, Karatina town and told to respect the president.
Posted by NYERI LEO on Tuesday, 18 February 2020
Despite this, some claimed the rowdy supporters had been sponsored by Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu, who is also one of the key pillars of Kieleweke group, a faction of Jubilee party opposed to William Ruto’s 2022 political ambitions.
“Get the facts right, then you can Distort them as you please! Those were paid supporters of the ‘Nyeri Women Rep’ Ngunjiri Wambugu screaming at Mathira MP, Rigathi Gachagua . Njoo Ground ujionee…” posted one user on Twitter.
In January this year, the MP made headlines after threatening to return President Uhuru Kenyatta’s donation offered during the burial of his mother.
This was after Uhuru’s donation of Sh 500,000 rubbed the Tanga Tanga squad, where Gachagua is a prominent team member, the wrong way because the funds were not sent through Deputy President William Ruto but through Kieni MP Kanini Kega.
Rigathi stated that his family was very hurt by the manner in which Kega delivered the President’s donation which he indicated he had a doubt about whether it had come from Kenyatta.
“Uhuru Kenyatta is a friend of mine and is a man who understands Kikuyu culture. Donations meant to help the family are usually sent before the burial and are not made public. Kega told me that the President had given him the cash on Friday but all along he did not deliver it until the material day.” stated Gachagua in February.
The MP accused Kanini nKega of playing politics with a donation meant to help the family.
Get the facts right, then you can Distort them as you please! Those were paid supporters of the 'Nyeri Women Rep' Ngunjiri Wambugu screaming at Mathira MP, Rigathi Gachagua . Njoo Ground ujionee…
— Evening Star (@Cosmic_Boom) February 19, 2020
This was very HOT Rigathi Gachagua. SLOW Down. pic.twitter.com/hBYFXNb9WO
— Billy MIJUNGU (@BillyMijungu) February 18, 2020
Identify a developmental conscious resident, who has service delivery purpose to the electorates of the county/constituency; Sharpen your vote, encourage more voters to register and prepare to send the entire goons out of leadership in the next elections.
— Wicky Eshiwani (@WEshiwani) February 19, 2020
These aren't resident they come to work from all over nyeri county niwauzanji wa soko ile kubwa east and central Africa so they can be rented to heckle because they don't vote there #Kikuyu
— BLACK MAMBA (@moseswanjohi2) February 19, 2020
It's only in Kenya when you don't agree with top leadership and suddenly you are preaching hate. But when you campgain for them and use all manner of rhetoric then it was not hate but just business as usual
— DIGITOUCH TECH (@KizaziTech) February 19, 2020