Royal Media Services (RMS) Group Editorial and Strategy Director Linus Kaikai has dismissed claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua sought the dismissal of journalist Trevor Ombija following a heated television interview earlier this year.
Kaikai said Gachagua never contacted RMS to demand Ombija’s removal, contradicting claims attributed to the journalist that the former Deputy President had made calls seeking his dismissal.
“This is not true. There was no such call from former DP Gachagua. Such a call would in any case not be worthwhile at RMS,” Kaikai said.
Kaikai also revealed that he had spoken to Ombija about the remarks, with the journalist reportedly acknowledging that he had made a mistake and regretted his comments.
“I have asked Trevor about the remarks, and he says it is ‘a mistake and I regret it’,” Kaikai said.
According to Kaikai, Ombija also told him that he “didn’t think the remarks would be picked up”.
The clarification followed a report by another media outlet suggesting that Ombija, who is also a Nyakach parliamentary aspirant, had claimed Gachagua attempted to have him fired from RMS.
Gachagua’s Democratic Party (DCP) also weighed in on the controversy, describing Ombija’s remarks as politically motivated.
The party alleged that some politicians invoke Gachagua’s name or that of the Mt Kenya community negatively as part of efforts to gain political support.
DCP further questioned Ombija’s explanation that his remarks were a mistake, maintaining that it believed the comments were deliberate.
The controversy comes amid heightened political activity as leaders and political parties position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Gachagua’s DCP seeking to expand its political influence across the country.
