Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has sharply responded to remarks by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, escalating a public dispute that played out during political engagements in Kajiado.
Murkomen accused Gachagua of hypocrisy, alleging that the former Deputy President criticised his lifestyle while wearing a high-end timepiece himself.
Murkomen claimed that Gachagua had on a Rolex Daytona watch valued at approximately Sh6.8 million during the address where he made the accusations.
“Today in Kajiado Mr. Rigathi Gachagua—the tribal jingoist—accused me of wearing an expensive watch, yet on the hand he held the microphone to spit tribal vitriol, he wore a Rolex Daytona watch worth Kenya shillings 6.8 million,” Murkomen said.
The Interior CS went further, alleging that Gachagua owns a collection of luxury watches worth about Sh50 million, based on what he described as a review of the former Deputy President’s public appearances and social media posts.
He framed the criticism as rooted in class bias, suggesting that Gachagua was selectively attacking him based on perceived social standing.
“I bet in his tribal classism, watches are not for ‘watu kama Murkomen’. Ukabila ishindwe!” he added.
The exchange follows earlier remarks by Gachagua in Kajiado, where he dismissed Murkomen as politically insignificant and accused him of projecting an extravagant lifestyle, citing expensive watches and accessories.
Gachagua had suggested that such displays were out of touch with ordinary Kenyans.
The back-and-forth highlights growing tensions between the two leaders, with accusations now extending beyond policy and governance into personal conduct and public image.