President William Ruto has launched a fresh attack on his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of exploiting his political influence to extort money from elected leaders, politicians and businesspeople. Speaking during a roadside rally in Kitutu Masaba Constituency, Nyamira County, on Monday, November 9, Ruto dismissed claims that his former deputy was paying supporters to attend political meetings. Instead, the President accused Gachagua of being an alleged chief extortionist who demanded money from leaders and political aspirants seeking access to him.
Ruto claimed that governors were allegedly required to pay millions of shillings to secure meetings with the former Deputy President. He further accused Gachagua of pressuring aspirants seeking political positions through his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), claiming that they were also subjected to financial demands. The Head of State argued that the alleged conduct contributed to the breakdown of their working relationship and eventually played a role in Gachagua’s removal from office in October 2024.
Ruto Dismisses Gachagua’s Claims Over 2022 Presidential Victory
During the rally, Ruto also challenged Gachagua’s assertions that his political influence and support were instrumental in securing the presidency in the 2022 General Election. The President maintained that he had established his political career independently, pointing to his electoral history as evidence of his experience in elective politics. Ruto noted that he had been elected to office seven times, contrasting his record with Gachagua’s single electoral victory. He used the comparison to dismiss suggestions that his former deputy was responsible for his rise to the presidency, further accusing him of displaying arrogance despite what he described as limited political experience.
Gachagua Maintains Opposition Against Ruto
The latest exchange comes amid growing political differences between Ruto and Gachagua following the latter’s removal from the Deputy President’s office in October 2024. Since leaving government, Gachagua has emerged as one of Ruto’s vocal critics and has consistently challenged the administration’s leadership and policies.
The former Deputy President has also vowed to work towards defeating Ruto in the 2027 General Election, positioning himself and his DCP party as part of the opposition seeking political change. The renewed exchange highlights the escalating political rivalry between the two former allies as political realignments gather momentum ahead of the 2027 polls.
