Speaking during the burial ceremony, Gachagua alleged that security agencies advised the President to permit him to speak in order to avoid possible unrest.
He claimed that intelligence reports indicated that a majority of those in attendance were his supporters, and blocking him from addressing the gathering could have triggered tension.
In a statement delivered in Swahili, Gachagua said:
“Ruto aliambiwa na intelligence watu wote walikuwa Ol-Kalou kwa mazishi ya Kiaraho walikuwa wangu, na nisipoongea hakutakuwa na amani.”
The statement translates to his claim that intelligence officers warned the President that denying him a speaking slot could disrupt peace at the funeral due to his strong support base among attendees.
During his address at the funeral, Gachagua used the platform to criticise President Ruto, revisiting his controversial impeachment and warning that the President could face political repercussions in the upcoming elections.
He also directed sharp remarks at Ruto’s allies in the Mt Kenya region, accusing them of betrayal.
The remarks further deepened political divisions, adding to the ongoing rivalry between the two leaders as realignments continue to shape Kenya’s political landscape ahead of future elections.
In response, President Ruto dismissed Gachagua’s assertions, insisting that his political influence in the Mt Kenya region remains solid.
He maintained that no individual or political force would be able to separate him from the electorate, reaffirming his confidence in his support base.
The exchange has once again highlighted growing political tensions within key vote-rich regions, with analysts noting that funerals and public gatherings have increasingly become stages for political messaging and rivalry.
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Politics