Former Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria has broken his silence following accusations by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua linking him to violence and political interference during and after the Ol Kalou by-election.
In a public statement, Kuria dismissed the claims and instead accused Gachagua of orchestrating a campaign to isolate him politically and socially within the Mt Kenya region.
“Dear Kenyans. Our King has declared me an outcast from among the Kikuyu community,” Kuria said, in remarks that appeared to directly reference Gachagua.
“That means I cannot attend any church service there. Neither can I go to a wedding nor a funeral… Sina pa kuenda.”
The statement marks a sharp escalation in the war of words between the two leaders, coming just days after Gachagua alleged that Kuria was among figures behind the chaos witnessed during the Ol Kalou by-election.
Gachagua had claimed that organised groups were deployed to disrupt the electoral process, accusations Kuria has now firmly rejected.
Instead, Kuria framed himself as a victim of political persecution, suggesting that efforts were underway to alienate him from the Kikuyu community and diminish his influence in the region.
He appealed to Kenyans outside Mt Kenya to accept him, portraying his situation as one of forced exclusion.
“When I come to your community outside Kikuyu land I beg you accept me. God will bless you,” he added.
Political analysts view Kuria’s response as a strategic attempt to counter Gachagua’s narrative by shifting focus from the by-election controversy to broader issues of regional unity and political intolerance.
The remarks also highlight deepening divisions within Mt Kenya leadership, with both figures positioning themselves as defenders of the community’s interests.
The Ol Kalou by-election has since evolved into a flashpoint for wider political tensions, with competing claims over electoral integrity, use of state resources, and regional influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.
As the dispute intensifies, both camps remain entrenched, with no independent verification of the allegations.
The fallout continues to expose fractures among former allies, signalling a potentially prolonged political battle for control of Mt Kenya’s voter base.