Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika has accused the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of pursuing a personal vendetta against her family, following his claims that her husband wields influence over security operations in the county.
In a strongly worded post on X, Kihika dismissed Gachagua’s allegations as malicious, reckless and driven by fear, accusing him of repeatedly dragging her spouse into political battles without justification.
She said Gachagua was “losing it” and alleged that her husband had refused to be blackmailed or extorted for what she termed a “protection fee”.
Gachagua and members of the opposition during the earlier engagement with the public. Photo Courtesy: Rigathi Gachagua/X
According to the governor, Gachagua had previously attempted to rope her spouse into business dealings, including importation of sugar, and had also sought partnerships involving his son, all of which were declined.
“You can’t intimidate us and there is a lot more where that came from,” Kihika said, adding that she possesses evidence to back her claims.
Heated exchange escalates
Kihika further accused the Democracy for Citizens’ Party leader of using most of his recent address in Kinamba, Naivasha, to hurl insults at her and her husband instead of outlining an agenda for the country.
DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua speaks during a political rally. Photo: Rigathi Gachagua Source: Facebook
She questioned what she described as his obsession, suggesting he was “chasing his shadow” and acting out of fear.
She also took issue with Gachagua’s eligibility for elective office, making reference to his impeachment, and criticised what she called his habit of “crying wolf” whenever challenged politically.
For clarity, the Nakuru governor insisted that Gachagua is free to visit the county at any time, but warned against incitement and tribal rhetoric. She described Nakuru as a cosmopolitan county that does not tolerate tribal bigotry, concluding her post with the Kiswahili remark Umezidi.
Claims over security control
Kihika’s response came after Gachagua accused the Inspector General of Police of surrendering command of the National Police Service in Nakuru to the governor’s spouse.
In an earlier statement, Gachagua claimed that police roadblocks were erected to block his entourage from accessing Kinamba Trading Centre in Naivasha, where he was scheduled to address the public.
He alleged that police officers, some masking their faces, harassed members of the public and disrupted his meeting, despite prior assurances from the Inspector General that the police would remain apolitical and respect freedom of movement and assembly.
Gachagua further claimed that the Nakuru police command had been influenced by political and business interests linked to the governor’s family, accusations Kihika has firmly rejected, terming them defamatory and politically motivated.
