Gachagua claims President Ruto’s media outburst stemmed from foiled Mrima Hill Mineral deal

Speaking to Kenyans living in Massachusetts, Boston, on Friday, October 2, 2026, Gachagua said President Ruto had sought to facilitate a mining deal involving an American investor at the mineral-rich site. 

However, Gachagua claims he intervened and raised procedural issues that ultimately halted the agreement.

"He wanted to use an American to steal a mineral called niobium in a place called Mrima Hills. I got him out," Gachagua stated. "So when he came here, the Americans told him, 'Oh, your former deputy who we are told is a truthful man... said there is a problem. Have you done public participation? Have you talked to every person in Kwale?' He started stammering, he was just not sure. So what he had come to conclude was not concluded, so he was very unhappy."

Gachagua argued that this frustrated deal was the primary reason behind President Ruto’s sharp reaction when questioned by the press during his interview at the Mombasa State House.

Recalling the media interaction, Gachagua quoted the exchange: "Yesterday, he had an interview in Mombasa State House, and one of the journalists asked, 'Mr. President, your former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua said that this deal of niobium, you are stealing...' He abused him. 'Why are you telling me? Don't mention that fool here. Hiyo ni mwendawazimu.'"

Dismissing the insult, Gachagua maintained that the public remains aware of the situation regardless of the rhetoric. "Everybody knew what I said is true, because you don't shoot the messenger; you deal with the message," he said.

Addressing broader political rhetoric, Gachagua criticized past presidential remarks warning citizens against electing unfit leaders.

"He said Kenyans will make a very great mistake to elect a fool as president," Gachagua added. "Kenyans are saying, 'We have already made that mistake. We shall not repeat it.' That is what Kenyans are saying... 'We know what you are telling us never to elect a fool as president. We know. We have already made that mistake and we have suffered. We shall never repeat. You don't even have to tell us.'"

Located in Kwale County, Mrima Hill is recognized as one of Kenya’s most valuable mineral deposits. 

It contains massive unexploited reserves of rare earth elements and niobium, a high-value metal critical for steel production, electronics, and advanced technologies. 

Licensing and extraction rights at the site have historically faced intense scrutiny regarding environmental protection, community displacement, and public participation requirements.