On July 25, 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua held a closed-door meeting with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Dr. Fred Matiang’i in Aberdeen, Maryland, USA, where Gachagua has been on an official visit for the past month.
In a statement posted on his social media accounts, accompanied by photos taken during the meeting, Gachagua revealed that their discussions focused on a range of national issues.
“During my visit to the USA, I had a tête-à-tête with Dr. Fred Matiang’i in Aberdeen, Maryland. We discussed several issues affecting our country, Kenya, and our liberation cause. Our focus remains strong, and our commitment to the people of Kenya is unwavering. God bless Kenya,” Gachagua stated.
Matiang’i and Gachagua Hold Closed Door Meeting
In addition to the private meeting, the two leaders held a town hall session with Kenyan teachers, healthcare providers, and community workers living and working in the United States.
Gachagua used the platform to criticize Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi over recent remarks claiming the government lacks funds to sustain free primary and secondary education.
“William Ruto has many educated advisers, but they are all flower girls. They don’t advise him on anything. His only real advisers are Farouk Kibet and Oscar Sudi. He has diverted funds meant for education to useless empowerment programs,” Gachagua said.
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Dr. Matiang’i, on his part, expressed disappointment over CS Mbadi’s remarks, recalling the transformative impact of free primary education, introduced by the late President Mwai Kibaki.
“I was so horrified when I heard what I heard yesterday,” Matiang’i remarked.
The meeting between Gachagua and Matiang’i has ignited political speculation ahead of the 2027 general election, with expectations of major realignments.
Former DP’s Meetings in the US Rattle’s Camp
Gachagua’s activities in the US have since rattled some leaders in President William Ruto’s camp, with several allies criticizing his conduct and statements.
Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei, speaking in Bungoma during an empowerment drive with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, accused Gachagua of exporting divisive politics to the diaspora.
“That man with political traps has bad behavior and tribal inclinations. He has even exported the bad culture of ethnic politics to America, and he has no agenda,” Cherargei said.
Also Read: Kabogo Answers Gachagua on Ruto Targeting Mt. Kenya CEOs for Firing
Sirisia MP John Waluke echoed Cherargei’s sentiments.
“Those making noise are tribalists who ruled this country for 35 years,” Waluke stated.
On July 21, 2025, Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah criticized Gachagua’s call for diaspora Kenyans to halt remittances, calling the remarks irresponsible. He warned such actions would hurt ordinary households, not the government.
“If you’re in the US and telling Kenyans not to send money to their parents, you’re harming the parents—not the government,” Ichung’wah noted.
He urged Gachagua to be patriotic and refrain from divisive rhetoric that undermines national unity.
His remarks were echoed by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, who condemned Gachagua for encouraging the Mt. Kenya diaspora to stop sending money home.
“You want to tell people from the mountain to keep their money in their pockets and wait for you until 2027? I think you have a mental issue,” Sudi declared.
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