Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has asked Pastor Dorcas Rigathi to restrain her husband, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, after accusing him of repeatedly dragging his wife into political discourse.
Murkomen launched the attack in Kericho County during the Belgut Marathon on August 23, where he accused Gachagua of lacking a policy agenda and instead focusing on discussing the families of political leaders at his rallies.
The CS claimed that in nearly ten recent meetings, Gachagua had repeatedly mentioned him and his wife rather than issues affecting Kenyans.
“Now he is talking about me, which is okay because I am a minister in public service. But what does he want with my wife?” Murkomen asked.
The sharp exchange marks the latest escalation in the growing political rivalry between the two leaders, which has played out publicly in recent months through rallies and media statements.
Murkomen and Gachagua Families Drawn Into Feud
Murkomen said he had no objection to criticism directed at him because he occupies public office, but argued that political debates should not extend to family members who are not involved in government affairs.
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He questioned why his wife had become a topic of discussion at opposition gatherings and challenged the former deputy president to focus on public policy.
Addressing the issue directly, the Interior CS called on Pastor Dorcas to intervene and stop what he described as persistent references to his wife during Gachagua’s public engagements.
“I want to ask Dorcas, deal with your own, let them stop talking about my wife,” Murkomen said.
According to Murkomen, the former deputy president has commented on the spouses of several leaders and has shown growing interest in discussing political families instead of offering solutions to challenges facing citizens.
He asked why the wives of leaders had become part of campaign narratives and insisted that political competition should focus on ideas rather than personalities.
The CS further suggested that Gachagua was pursuing attention through controversial remarks because he lacked a substantive political message.
He argued that leaders seeking public support should persuade voters through policies and development plans, not personal attacks.
The remarks come as political temperatures rise across the country, with leaders positioning themselves ahead of future electoral contests and public rallies increasingly becoming platforms for attacks between rival camps.
Questions Over Policy Agenda
The Interior CS used the occasion to question Gachagua’s leadership credentials, claiming he had not heard any meaningful policy proposals from the former deputy president despite following his public engagements over the past year.
Murkomen said discussions of education, agriculture, and development were largely absent from Gachagua’s speeches.
He argued that the former deputy president had concentrated more on attacking individuals than explaining how he would address issues affecting ordinary Kenyans.
He also dismissed Gachagua as a serious political challenger, saying the former deputy president lacked the vision and program required to mount a successful political campaign.
Murkomen maintained that voters would ultimately judge leaders based on their policies and record rather than rhetoric.
Background to the Feud
Murkomen’s response comes against the backdrop of an escalating political feud in which Gachagua has repeatedly criticized the Interior CS over security management, election preparedness and the conduct of state agencies.
Gachagua has questioned the government’s handling of security matters, accused the Interior Ministry of failing in its mandate and challenged Murkomen’s position on the opposition’s push to protect votes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The former deputy president has also linked Murkomen to broader governance controversies, including investigations into high-profile incidents and allegations involving security agencies.
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