Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted claims of being a tribalist, asserting he is "the darling of the Kenyan people" during a media briefing in Kansas City, USA. He accused President William Ruto and his inner circle of orchestrating this narrative to undermine his rising popularity.

• Gachagua attributes tribalist labels to a political attack aimed at diminishing his influence among Kenyans.
• He blames the government for targeting people from Mt Kenya region during protests, claiming businesses were destroyed to intimidate the population.
• Gachagua links his growing popularity to his "honest and fearless" approach and open opposition to recent government taxation policies, including his support for Gen Z.