Two Cabinet Secretaries and a section of legislators have launched a scratching attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, accusing them of misleading Kenyans and fueling division in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking during a church service at Athimba New Life Covenant Church in Igembe South, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Water CS Eric Muuga said the two former senior government officials had failed to deliver while in office and were now seeking to destabilise the region for their own political gain.
Mr Ruku accused Mr Linturi of poor performance during his tenure at the Agriculture ministry, alleging that farmers were supplied with fake fertiliser and that road projects in parts of Meru were poorly executed by his construction company.
“He failed to deliver when he was given an opportunity to serve. Farmers suffered because of fake fertiliser and the roads done in the region were shoddy,” Mr Ruku said.
Mugaa at the same time attacked Linturi, accusing him of disrespecting leaders from Meru and promoting divisive regional politics.
He maintained that his rise to the position was based purely on merit, citing his professional experience and strong academic background calling on Linturi to respect his position .
“I did not need anyone to push my appointment. My expertise and academic achievements speak for themselves,” Mugaa said.
“Linturi should stop disrespecting younger leadership like me and MP John Paul Mwirigi because what matters is not body size or how noisy you are but the mind and the ability to deliver results for Kenyans,” he said.
The CS was accompanied by , Igembe South MP John Paul Mwirigi,Igembe Central MP Dan Kilii and Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi who together accused the opposition of fuelling hatred and deepening political rifts in Mt Kenya.
They dismissed claims that Mr Linturi was a regional kingpin, saying his recent political moves were aimed at creating divisions, particularly in Meru.
“Linturi is not our kingpin. He is just a failure who is bitter after being dismissed from government. We cannot follow him to the opposition because they have no agenda for the country,” said Mugaa.
Mr Mugaa said leaders in Meru would not allow themselves to be dragged into politics of bitterness and confrontation, insisting that the region will support the Kenya Kwanza government owing to their remarkable developments track records .
Mr Ruku said respect in leadership was earned through tangible development and service delivery, adding that Gachagua and Linturi fell short on both counts during their time in office.
“They cannot demand respect when there is no record of achievement. They both failed in service delivery terribly and that is why Kenyans rejected them,” Mr Ruku said.
The Public Service CS also accused the opposition of harbouring negativity towards the government and spreading what he termed as dangerous propaganda aimed at turning communities against each other.
Addressing faithfuls the team told the former leaders to accept their political fate and allow the government to work.
“You failed to deliver while in office. Pack and go home and stay with your wives and children instead of misleading Kenyans,” Ruku said.
John Paul further urged residents of Igembe South and the larger Meru region not to fall into what he described as the opposition’s trap of empty rhetoric and ethnic mobilisation.
While drumming support for president William Ruto two term movement ,they advised the opposition to shun from placing personal interests above national stability, urging them to give president and his deputy Kithure Kindiki time to deliver to their developmental pledges.
“ We know Gachagua demanded Sh 10 billion or else he would make the government fall. He is fighting everyone, including fellow leaders, purely for personal interest,” Mr Ruku alleged.
The CS further dismissed Gachagua and his allies political influence in Mt Kenya region saying recent by-elections had exposed their dwindling influence in the region.
“In the just concluded Mbeere North contest, it was shown clearly that he has no power in Mt Kenya East so he should stop cheating Kenyans that he is the kingpin,” added the CS.
Mr Ruku claimed that the opposition party outfit associated with the two leaders had no grassroots support and no clear development blueprint for the country.
The leaders defended President William Ruto’s administration against claims that it had sidelined Mt Kenya, saying the region continued to enjoy significant representation in government.
“The President has appointed many people from Mt Kenya to top government positions, including directors and other senior officials so do not be lied that the region is being sidelined politically ,” Ruku added
The leaders said the government remained committed to inclusive development and called on residents to support ongoing programmes instead of being distracted by what they termed as divisive politics.
They maintained that unity and cooperation with the national government were key to accelerating development in Meru and the wider Mt Kenya region.
Mugaa further engaged congregants on various transformative projects being implemented by his ministry in Meru County and other parts of the country.
He outlined an ambitious plan to increase the number of dams and expand irrigated farmland nationwide noting the projects are aimed at boosting food security and improving livelihoods, noting that they are fully aligned with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
