Speaking in a recent online interview, Itumbi painted Gachagua as a man who talks tough in public but struggles when the spotlight fades.
“My personal opinion is that Rigathi Gachagua behaves like a lion when holding a microphone, but in private, he is no more than a timid cat,” Itumbi said during the candid conversation.
The remarks were sparked by a past incident that almost turned physical.
According to Itumbi, Gachagua once pressured him to declare him the undisputed political kingpin of Mt. Kenya through a Facebook post. When he refused, tempers flared.
“He told me to write on Facebook that he is the Mt. Kenya kingpin. I said no. He grabbed my shirt and wanted to fight me because I refused,” Itumbi recalled.
He went on to accuse Gachagua of being insecure and obsessed with how people perceive him online.
“When you hear Gachagua attacking me or Farouk Kibet, just know he is struggling with low self-esteem,” he claimed.
Itumbi further alleged that even in high-level government meetings, Gachagua seemed more interested in checking comments on social media than engaging in official discussions.
“Every time in Cabinet meetings or public functions, he was glued to newspapers and online comments. That is not listening to the people—it’s chasing validation,” he added.
The sharp criticism highlights the growing rift between Gachagua and close allies of President William Ruto.
With Mt. Kenya politics already heating up ahead of the 2027 elections, Itumbi’s remarks are likely to fuel fresh debate on who really commands influence in the region.
Gachagua, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), has consistently portrayed himself as the defender of Mt. Kenya’s interests.
But critics like Itumbi argue that his leadership style is rooted more in appearances than substance.
