National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has shed light on a high-stakes confrontation at the former Deputy President’s Karen residence, citing a Ksh 1 billion budget demand as the breaking point in his relationship with Rigathi Gachagua.
During an interview with a local station on Monday, April 13, 2026, Ichung’wah explained that the fallout originated from Gachagua’s alleged attempts to blackmail the president and intimidate Mt. Kenya lawmakers into supporting his personal and political interests.
Ichung’wah recalled how he personally visited Gachagua to deliver a stern warning, making it clear that he would not yield to pressure or threats. He drew parallels to his previous political battles, reminding the former deputy president of his resolve during past administrations.
“When he was deputy president, when he tried to blackmail the president and threaten all members of parliament, I went to his house in Karen, and I told him, Mr. Deputy President, you know me; you know Uhuru Kenyatta as president could not intimidate me or blackmail me to support his cause,” Ichung’wah said.
The Kikuyu Mp further challenged the former deputy president’s authority, reminding him that his mandate as a legislator predated Gachagua’s arrival in Parliament in 2017. Ichung’wah maintained that while other lawmakers from the Mt. Kenya region might feel pressured, he remained immune to such tactics.
“You are the deputy president today, you found me as an elected member of parliament when you came into parliament in 2017. If you intimidate all these people, all these members of parliament from Mount Kenya, look at me straight in my eyes and know I will be the last person you will intimidate. I will be the last person you’ll be able to blackmail.”
Ichung’wah alleged that Gachagua specifically lobbied him to help inflate his office’s confidential budget by Ksh 300 million, aiming to reach a Ksh 1 billion ceiling. The former deputy president reportedly hoped to utilize Article 223 of the Constitution – a provision for emergency or supplementary spending – to secure the additional funds.
Drawing on his experience as a former chair of the Budget and Appropriations Committee, Ichung’wah says he rejected the proposal on principle. He pointed out that he had previously led the charge to restrict such spending under Article 223 and refused to compromise his stance as majority leader.
“I remember that time he had called me to Karen when I went to see him to try and persuade me that he could get access to additional confidential expenditure to hit a billion shillings of confidential expenditure from the Ksh 700 million that he had in his office,” Ichung’wah said.
“Apparently, to get it under article 223 of the constitution, and I told him I was the author of an embargo on such expenditure under article 223 when I was the chair of the budget and appropriations committee; as the leader of the majority, I will not allow it in parliament because it is wrong.”
Ichung’wah noted that even though Gachagua attempted to leverage political “numbers” to sway parliamentary votes, he stood firm against any exploitation of office for what he viewed as improper financial gain. Ichung’wah insisted that the legislative majority exists to serve the public interest rather than facilitate questionable spending requests.
“I told him our numbers are not to abuse to do what is not right,” Ichung’wah recalled.
The post “Even Uhuru Couldn’t Blackmail Me”: Ichung’wah Recalls Confronting Gachagua over Cash Demand appeared first on Bossnana.
