Former DP Rigathi Gachagua has come
under sharp criticism for alleging that Sam Mburu, the husband of Nakuru
Governor Susan Kihika, controls security operations in the county.
At a press conference in Nairobi, a group of
politicians, led by Makadara MP George Aladwa, condemned Gachagua’s remarks,
accusing him of targeting a private citizen in an attempt to score political
points.
“Rigathi Gachagua must stop threatening businesspeople who
have no platform to defend themselves against political attacks,” Aladwa said.
The ODM Nairobi branch chairman termed Gachagua’s comments
as intimidation and blackmail, arguing that Mburu, a well-known businessman
with no political role, was being unfairly dragged into political disputes.
“I want to tell Gachagua to stick to his lane. He should
fight his political battles with fellow politicians—not with businesspeople.
His attack on Mburu was completely uncalled for,” Aladwa said.
He claimed the former Deputy President’s
attacks were part of a desperate attempt to stay politically relevant.
“We support President William Ruto and our party leader
Raila Odinga. Gachagua should know he was impeached and whatever he does now
cannot influence the direction of this country,” Aladwa said.
The backlash follows Gachagua’s claims made earlier this
week in Boston, US. He alleged several police officers in
Nakuru had reached out to him, saying they were taking instructions from Mburu.
“I have spoken to officers in Nakuru, and they are crying.
They say the husband of Governor Susan Kihika—Sam Mburu—is the one giving
orders to the police,” Gachagua claimed.
The former DP made the remarks after his team was teargassed
by police while attempting to address a crowd in Subukia, Nakuru county.
Gachagua further claimed officers had expressed concern
over Mburu’s assertion that while Kihika runs the county government,
he oversees the operations of the national government in Nakuru.
He went on to allege that Mburu had boasted about his close
personal and business ties with President William Ruto, including profit-sharing from
imported goods he handles on behalf of the President.
Speaking at the same press conference, Nairobi county
assembly deputy majority whip Stazo Omung’ala also criticised Gachagua’s
remarks, describing them as inappropriate.
“While Gachagua has every right to express his views, it
is unfair for him to launch a smear campaign against someone who is not a
public official, simply because he is married to a sitting governor,” Omung’ala
said.
He urged relevant authorities to take notice of Gachagua’s
claims, saying they amounted to harassment.
“Mburu is not a politician and may not have the
opportunity to respond on a public platform to Gachagua’s outbursts and angry
rhetoric,” he added.
