FACT CHECK: Viral Alliance and Mang’u Claims on Gachagua’s Admission Remarks

Former Deputy President (DP) Rigathi Gachagua sparked a national debate after making remarks on student placement and admissions to national schools, particularly elite institutions in the Mt Kenya region, such as Alliance High School and Mang’u High School.

Gachagua made the remarks on Sunday, January 4, 2026, while speaking during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina Church in Githunguri, Kiambu County.

He questioned why high-performing students from the Mt Kenya region were being placed in distant or lower-tier schools, while students from other regions were admitted to top national schools within Mt Kenya.

“Other people are being brought to our schools here, like Alliance, Mang’u, and others, while our children, who have higher grades, are being taken to schools in Turkana, Wajir, and other far-flung areas. There is total confusion in the education system. Parents do not know what to do,” Gachagua said.

President Ruto Fires Back at Gachagua Over His Remarks

Following his remarks, several leaders led by President William Ruto described his sentiments as divisive.

Speaking at the Nyota Business Start-Up Capital Disbursement event in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday, January 8, 2026, President Ruto accused Gachagua of promoting tribal politics and termed the remarks uncalled for.

“That is cheap politics. When someone has no agenda, they sell tribalism. When someone has no plan, they sell hatred. Now they have even brought it into our children’s schools. Let our children be. Let our children learn. Those children are Kenyans,” Ruto said.

Also Read: Ruto Hits Back at Gachagua over National Schools Admissions Remarks

In the aftermath, several statements allegedly issued by Alliance Boys High School and Mang’u High School alumni groups began circulating online, criticising Gachagua’s remarks.

The statements went viral and were widely shared by social media influencers and political leaders opposed to the former Deputy President.

Alleged Statements from Mangu and Alliance Alumni

One alleged statement attributed to the Mang’u High School Alumni Association read in part:
“The Alumni Group is concerned by calls suggesting that certain communities should be excluded from national schools or that elected leaders should ‘build their own schools’ to accommodate their regions. Such narratives risk undermining the inclusive ethos of national institutions and could inadvertently fuel division where unity is required. National schools exist to bring together Kenya’s brightest minds from every county, fostering shared identity and mutual understanding.”

Another alleged statement attributed to the Alliance High School Alumni Association read:
“The Alumni Group wishes to state clearly that Alliance High School does not belong to any one community, region, or political constituency. Further, Hon. Gachagua has never been a student, parent, or board member of Alliance High School, and therefore does not speak for the school, its values, or its alumni.”

Also Read: Gachagua Signals His Next Political Move After DCP By-Election Wins

Hivileo Fact Check

However, a spot check by Hivileo found the two statements to be unverified.

Speaking to Hivileo, a Mang’u High School alumnus, dismissed the statement attributed to the Mang’u Alumni Association as false.

He explained that official alumni statements are usually issued by the association’s chairperson or spokesperson and include clear designation details, which were missing in the circulated version.

Additionally, the two statements purportedly from Alliance and Mang’u alumni were strikingly similar in wording and structure, raising questions about their authenticity and suggesting they may have originated from a single source.

The statements were also largely shared by a specific group of online users and bloggers aligned to a particular political position.

Furthermore, none of the statements were published or confirmed by mainstream media outlets or read in official bulletins, further casting doubt on their credibility.

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