Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has intensified his criticism of President William Ruto, dismissing the Head of State’s State of the Nation address delivered in Parliament on Thursday as a “useless speech devoid of substance.”

Speaking during by-election campaigns in Mbeere North on Thursday, Gachagua accused President Ruto of offering theatrics instead of tangible progress, claiming the address lacked any meaningful achievements.

Gachagua further alleged that the administration had mismanaged public resources and allowed “a period marked by lawlessness,” pointing to claims of abductions and insecurity that, according to him, undermine the credibility of the President’s message to the nation.

“I want to ask Ruto and Kindiki, why waste Ksh.500 million in Mbeere, a place where there is no water or electricity or roads? If you were nice people, you should have used the money to bring development to the people so that they remember you,” he said.

He also took issue with the President’s remarks delivered in Parliament, saying the address failed to reflect the lived realities of Kenyans.

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“Leo Kasongo ako Bunge kusomea watu barua refu ati asomee Wakenya kile amefanya na hajafanya. Ni uongo si uongo? Hakuna haja ya kumskiza. Alituambia atatuwekea pesa kwa mfuko na badala yake, ile kidogo tulikua nayo akachukua,” he remarked.

Gachagua claimed the government was engaged in voter bribery and intimidation in the ongoing campaigns, alleging that state-backed operatives were coercing voters in their campaigns for the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Leonard Muthende.

“Nimeskia (Public Service CS Geoffrey) Ruku akiambia watu waende wapigie Muthende kura, kisha wapige picha alafu baadaye utatumiwa pesa. Hio ni uongo, hii uchaguzi ikiisha hakuna mtu atakupatia pesa,” he warned.

He told supporters that the Mt. Kenya region would use the November 27 by-election to register its disapproval of President Ruto, accusing his former boss of political betrayal. He singled out residents of Mbeere North as a crucial bloc in what he termed an upcoming political “reckoning.”

Gachagua has been drumming up support for Newton Kariuki, the Democratic Party (DP) candidate, in what is now his fourth day of campaigns in the constituency.

On Tuesday, he held rallies in Ciangera shopping centre and Kavengero in Evurore ward, attracting large crowds after earlier conducting door-to-door engagements.

He was accompanied by several politicians allied to his camp, including former Cabinet Secretary JB Muturi, Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, Nyandarua Senator John Methu, and Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thangwa