Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, vehemently denied claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua had visited his grandmother's home for a private breakfast meeting. Addressing a political rally in Muminji, Embu County, Ruku branded the allegations as "stupid" propaganda designed to mislead the public amidst a fiercely contested parliamentary by-election in Mbeere North.

The controversy ignited after photos of Gachagua conducting a door-to-door campaign in the constituency on Monday, November 17, began circulating online. Accompanying narratives suggested that one of the homes the former Deputy President visited belonged to CS Ruku's grandmother. However, Ruku swiftly refuted these reports, stating it was impossible as both of his parents had passed away many years ago. “If I don't have a mother — she died a long time ago — and I don't have a father — he also died a long time ago, and you people of Muminji know that — will my grandmother be alive, surely?” he posed to the crowd.

The Cabinet Secretary also directed sharp criticism at media outlets for circulating the story without proper verification, accusing them of amplifying "lies and confusion."

A By-Election Battleground

The public spat is the latest flashpoint in the high-stakes Mbeere North by-election scheduled for Thursday, November 27, 2025. The seat fell vacant after Ruku, the former area MP, was appointed to the cabinet. The contest has morphed into a significant political battleground, pitting factions of the Mt. Kenya leadership against each other.

CS Ruku, alongside Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, is backing the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate, Leonard Muriuki Wamuthende. On the other side, former DP Gachagua has thrown his weight behind the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, Newton Karish. This has effectively turned the local election into a litmus test for political dominance in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.

Gachagua has been actively campaigning on the ground, employing a door-to-door strategy and vowing to camp in the constituency to "protect the votes." His efforts are supported by a coalition of opposition figures, framing the by-election as a chance to defeat the government's candidate and build momentum for 2027.

Escalating Political Tensions

This incident does not exist in isolation. It is symptomatic of a broader and escalating political friction between CS Ruku and former DP Gachagua. Earlier in November, Ruku had publicly criticised Gachagua for questioning the credibility of Mt. Kenya leaders, calling his remarks "uncalled for and unbecoming." Ruku asserted that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is the respected leader of the region, and Gachagua had no moral authority to lecture others.

Furthermore, the political climate has been charged with accusations of intimidation and threats of violence. On Thursday, November 13, 2025, Ruku dismissed allegations from Gachagua that he was linked to individuals threatening violence ahead of the former DP's campaign tour. Gachagua had written to the Inspector General of Police about a video clip allegedly showing Ruku's associates issuing threats. Ruku acknowledged knowing some of the individuals but denied any responsibility for their actions, advising Gachagua to report any genuine grievances to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) rather than engaging in "usual dramatisations."

For his part, Gachagua has accused senior state officials, including CS Ruku, of using state machinery to intimidate voters and impose a candidate on the people of Mbeere North. He has vowed to continue his campaign, framing it as a battle against the state's preferred political order in the region. The outcome of the November 27 poll is now keenly watched by political observers as an indicator of the shifting power dynamics within Mt. Kenya and the Kenya Kwanza administration.