Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua was publicly challenged by a young Kenyan during a community town hall in Baltimore, USA, on Sunday, July 27, in a bold exchange that highlighted growing generational and ideological rifts ahead of the 2027 election.

Valentine Wanjiru Githae, who introduced herself as a Gen Z member and representative of the 625 Movement, used the platform to issue a direct and unsparing critique of Gachagua’s political messaging and public conduct.

Addressing the crowd, Valentine urged Gachagua to reposition himself as a national statesman rather than a regional or tribal figure warning that continued ethnic messaging could alienate other communities and ultimately hurt his political prospects.

“We are here to tell you the truth,” she said. “If we don’t speak up as Gen Zs, we are doomed to fail, and Kasongo will be back in power.”

She faulted the use of the Kikuyu language during the forum, calling it exclusionary in a diaspora setting meant to unite the Kenyan community abroad.

“The first mistake made here is speaking Kikuyu. The moment we position ourselves tribally, other communities will retreat into their own corners. We risk repeating the same old cycle,” she told Gachagua.

Valentine also referenced Gachagua’s recent remarks in Boston, where he credited the Kikuyu community with driving Kenya’s economic growth.

“I heard you say that Kikuyus are more hardworking and have grown the country. But that’s because we’ve been beneficiaries of historical privilege starting with Jomo Kenyatta,” she added.

In his response, Gachagua dismissed accusations of tribalism, instead blaming President William Ruto for perpetuating that narrative.

“The tribalist label is political propaganda,” Gachagua said. “Now that I’ve disagreed with the president, he’s portraying me as tribal to intimidate the Mt Kenya region.”

He further claimed that businesses and individuals from the region had been unfairly targeted in recent months.

“Before I left for America, Mt Kenya businesses were attacked. Many who were arrested and charged with terrorism came from our region,” he claimed.

The exchange sparked a flurry of reactions online, reflecting deepening political divides as Kenya edges closer to the 2027 elections.