Democracy for Citizens Party leader Rigathi Gachagua has told Gatundu South MP Gabriel Gathuka Kagombe to seek forgiveness from Gatundu residents rather than from him after leaving the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
Gachagua was responding to Kagombe’s appeal for reconciliation following his departure from UDA and shift away from President William Ruto’s political camp.
Speaking on Sunday, August 16, Gachagua said he had forgiven politicians who supported his removal from office, including those who turned against him during his tenure as deputy president.
However, he said personal forgiveness was different from accountability to voters who had supported the politicians involved.
“I have no problem. I am a Christian, and I have forgiven even those who removed me from office,” Gachagua said.
He then directed Kagombe to address the people of Gatundu South.
“But after coming to seek forgiveness from me, he should go and seek it from the people of Gatundu. Or isn’t it?” he paused.
Kagombe recently announced his departure from UDA, prompting a political exchange with Gachagua as politicians reposition themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The Gatundu South MP sought to explain his political shift using biblical references, comparing his change of position to the transformation of Saul into Paul.
“I have now turned into Paul from Saul. Even in the book of Luke, there is the story of the lost son, and that is now me,” Kagombe said.
He appealed directly to Gachagua to accept him back into his political fold, describing his return as a permanent homecoming.
“For me, I have come to you to admit that indeed, that person, William Ruto, lied to all of us. And because I have seen the light, please, Gachagua, receive me. I have returned home, where I will stay forever,” he said.
Gachagua's response suggests that Kagombe's political reconciliation cannot be settled solely through an appeal to the former deputy president.
Gatundu South MP Gabriel Kagombe speaking during an interview on Radio Generation on August 12, 2026. PHOTO/Ignatius Openje/RG
By directing the MP towards Gatundu residents, Gachagua placed emphasis on the relationship between elected leaders and their constituents, particularly as politicians seek to rebuild support ahead of the next election.
Gachagua also criticised MPs who supported President Ruto, accusing them of contributing to what he described as the administration's disregard for the Mt Kenya region.
“You know, these MPs are the ones who made Ruto despise our community,” Gachagua said.
His comments reflect continuing political disagreements between Gachagua and politicians who previously supported the Kenya Kwanza administration but have since changed their positions.
Kagombe's departure from UDA is part of a series of political realignments taking place ahead of the 2027 General Election, as parties and individual politicians position themselves for the next electoral contest.
The exchange also highlights the changing political dynamics in Gatundu South, where Kagombe's political future is increasingly being discussed in the context of his relationship with Gachagua and his former party.
For Gachagua, however, forgiveness appears to have a personal dimension while political reconciliation remains a matter for voters.
His message to Kagombe was therefore clear: seeking forgiveness from the former deputy president may not be sufficient, and the lawmaker must also account to the Gatundu electorate as he seeks to chart a new political path.