Baringo Senator Vincent Chemitei has sharply criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of confining his political activities to the Mt Kenya region and exploiting national tragedies for political gain.

Speaking at a public event in Baringo on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, Chemitei lamented Gachagua's apparent disconnect from other parts of Kenya, pointing out that he rarely visits counties outside Mt Kenya such as Uasin Gishu, Mombasa, and Turkana.

"There’s someone who has won up there on the mountain, yet he doesn’t even know the last time he visited Uasin Gishu County, or Mombasa County, or Turkana County," Chemitei said.

The senator was responding to Gachagua’s recent call for a public inquest into the deaths of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla.

Chemitei urged Gachagua to refrain from politicising the deaths of prominent leaders and instead show respect and empathy to the grieving families.

"We urge you to respect the families who have lost their loved ones, including the family of the late Raila Amolo Odinga, the family of General Ogolla, and Johana Ng’eno, a leader from our Kalenjin community," he said.

This criticism follows a broader political dispute involving Interior Cabinet Secretary Sam Chebole Murkomen, who accused Gachagua of using the deaths of Raila Odinga, General Ogolla, and former Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno to gain political leverage.

Murkomen condemned Gachagua for not visiting Ng’eno’s family or offering condolences since the MP’s death over five months ago. He also dismissed Gachagua’s claims about the circumstances of Ng’eno’s fatal plane crash as attempts to generate political attention ahead of his planned visit to Emurua Dikirr.

"Where have you been all this time, Mr. Gachagua? You have never called or visited Ng’eno’s family, yet you want Kenyans to believe you were his friend," Murkomen questioned.

The Interior CS further accused Gachagua of insensitivity, alleging he announced Ng’eno’s death at a political rally before the family was officially informed.

This exchange reflects the intensifying rivalry between Murkomen and Gachagua as they vie for political influence in the Rift Valley and nationally ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Murkomen concluded by stating he would not be distracted by Gachagua’s attempts to stir instability and vowed to remain focused on his political agenda.