Kenya, Sept. 15 -- In a bombshell revelation that's fueling Kenya's already simmering political tensions, Martha Miano accuses Gachagua of relief food theft in a scathing social media post. The former staffer in ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's office, who was unceremoniously sacked as Deputy Director of Public Communications in August 2024, has unleashed a torrent of criticism against her one-time boss, dredging up long-buried allegations from his early career.
This outburst comes amid Gachagua's escalating public feuds with former President Uhuru Kenyatta and current President William Ruto, turning what was once a united front into a battlefield of personal attacks and historical grievances.
Miano, a fiery communications expert who rose to prominence after a high-profile assault during a 2018 by-election in Nyeri-where she was slapped by Gachagua's aides while serving as an election observer-didn't hold back in her Facebook rant on September 14, 2025.
"Before Gachagua calls Rtd President Uhuru and President William Ruto names, he should remember he is the greatest of all the incompetents Kenya has ever seen. He was fired as a DO for stealing relief food," she wrote, her words quickly going viral and sparking a firestorm across platforms like X and Instagram.
The post, viewed over 10,000 times within hours, has been shared by pro-Ruto bloggers and opposition sympathizers alike, amplifying the Martha Miano accuses Gachagua of relief food theft narrative in Kenya's hyper-connected digital space.
This isn't the first time such claims have surfaced. The accusation echoes a pointed 2022 statement by then-Interior Principal Secretary Karanja Kibicho, who publicly asserted that Gachagua was dismissed from his role as a District Officer (DO) in 1996 not for voluntary resignation-as Gachagua has often claimed-but for desertion of duty and mismanaging relief supplies during a period of national food aid distribution.
Kibicho, speaking on Radio Jambo and Gukena FM, emphasized that records at the Ministry of Interior clearly document the sacking, challenging Gachagua to produce any resignation letter if his version held water.
"He was fired for desertion and mismanaging relief food," Kibicho stated bluntly, adding that Gachagua's denial of past postings, like in Molo, Nakuru County, was a blatant lie meant to distance himself from controversial historical events.
At the time, the remarks were part of a broader verbal clash between Kibicho, aligned with the Uhuru-Raila coalition, and Gachagua, who was campaigning as William Ruto's running mate under the Kenya Kwanza banner.
Gachagua, now leading the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) after his dramatic impeachment in October 2024, has vehemently denied these allegations throughout his career. In responses to Kibicho's 2022 claims, he dismissed them as politically motivated smears aimed at derailing his rise.
Sources close to the former deputy president, speaking anonymously to this reporter, suggest the relief food incident stems from the turbulent 1990s under President Daniel arap Moi's regime, when administrative officers handled famine relief in arid regions.
They argue Gachagua was transferred rather than fired, and any "mismanagement" was a pretext amid ethnic tensions in areas like North Eastern Province. Gachagua himself has portrayed his civil service tenure as honorable, often highlighting his quick pivot to business and politics as a testament to his resilience.
Miano's timing couldn't be more charged. Just days after Gachagua's latest broadside against Ruto-accusing him of fostering a "culture of lies" and sabotaging key sectors like education and health during a May 2025 rally in support of Martha Karua's Peoples Liberation Party-these old wounds have reopened.
Her post arrives as Gachagua eyes a political comeback, potentially vying for the presidency in 2027 despite the impeachment cloud hanging over him. Analysts see this as a calculated move by Miano, who landed a board position at the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority in February 2025 after her dismissal, possibly signaling her alignment with Ruto's administration.
"Martha Miano accuses Gachagua of relief food theft isn't just gossip; it's a reminder of how personal histories can torpedo political ambitions," said political commentator Dr. Elias Mokua in an interview.
"In Kenya's zero-sum politics, yesterday's allies become tomorrow's enemies."Social media reactions have been polarized. Supporters of Gachagua, many from the Mt. Kenya region, have flooded Miano's timeline with accusations of betrayal, calling her a "disgruntled ex-employee" seeking relevance after her firing via social media notice.
One X user quipped, "From slapped observer to sacked aide-now digging up dirt? Stay classy, Martha." Conversely, Ruto loyalists and anti-Gachagua voices are hailing Miano as a whistleblower, with hashtags like #GachaguaExposed trending briefly. "If Kibicho had the records in 2022, why hasn't there been an investigation? This smells of selective amnesia," tweeted a Nairobi-based activist.
The broader implications for Kenya's political landscape are profound. With Gachagua accusing Ruto of dividing the opposition and siphoning public funds-like NSSF resources for dubious deals-as recently as June 2025, this feud shows the fragility of alliances forged in the 2022 elections.
As the country grapples with economic woes and upcoming polls, the Martha Miano accuses Gachagua of relief food theft saga could erode Gachagua's credibility among swing voters, especially in Central Kenya.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.