Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday launched a blistering public attack on President William Ruto, marking their first direct confrontation since his 2024 impeachment.
Speaking during the memorial service of the late Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in Nyandarua County, Gachagua delivered a hard-hitting address, accusing the President of political betrayal, poor counsel, and alienating the Mt. Kenya region.
Taking to the podium, Gachagua said Ruto’s downfall in the region stemmed from relying on what he described as “children” for advice—singling out National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
“They betrayed our community. I warned you before we fell out that Ichung’wah and his group would lead you into a trap. Betrayal is not something our people forgive. You chose to follow their advice, and now the community has turned its back on you,” he said.
He urged the President to mend ties with the Mt. Kenya electorate, cautioning him against branding the region as tribal while insisting it remains open to working with his administration if certain allies are restrained.
“Make peace with this community. Stop listening to these ‘children’; they are misleading you,” he added. Gachagua maintained that his impeachment had not diminished his political standing, arguing that his bond with the region remains intact and unshaken.
“You may have pushed me out of office, but removing me from the hearts of these people is impossible. It’s like trying to cut down a Mugumo tree using a razor blade,” he said.
The former Deputy President also issued a warning ahead of a planned political event in Kikuyu, accusing Ichung’wah of mobilising groups to incite violence and destruction.
“Tell Ichung’wah we will be in Kikuyu on Saturday. He has been organising gangs to attack people, torch homes, and destroy businesses. He must stop this recklessness,” he alleged.
Gachagua further turned his criticism toward National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him of breaching parliamentary procedure by allowing repeated discussions about him without proper motions.
“You have allowed Parliament to debate me five times without a substantive motion. That is a failure of leadership. You are the Speaker, not a political operative for UDA,” he said.
He challenged Ichung’wah to follow due process if he wished to raise issues concerning him in the House, referencing Standing Order 51.
“If he wants to discuss me, let him bring a proper motion. They keep referring to me as their ‘kihii’—that must stop,” he added.
Wednesday’s encounter marked the first time Gachagua and Ruto have publicly addressed each other since November 16, 2024, when they briefly met during the installation of the Embu Catholic Bishop shortly after Gachagua’s impeachment.
Speaking during the memorial service of the late Ol Kalou MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in Nyandarua County, Gachagua delivered a hard-hitting address, accusing the President of political betrayal, poor counsel, and alienating the Mt. Kenya region.
Taking to the podium, Gachagua said Ruto’s downfall in the region stemmed from relying on what he described as “children” for advice—singling out National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
“They betrayed our community. I warned you before we fell out that Ichung’wah and his group would lead you into a trap. Betrayal is not something our people forgive. You chose to follow their advice, and now the community has turned its back on you,” he said.
He urged the President to mend ties with the Mt. Kenya electorate, cautioning him against branding the region as tribal while insisting it remains open to working with his administration if certain allies are restrained.
“Make peace with this community. Stop listening to these ‘children’; they are misleading you,” he added. Gachagua maintained that his impeachment had not diminished his political standing, arguing that his bond with the region remains intact and unshaken.
“You may have pushed me out of office, but removing me from the hearts of these people is impossible. It’s like trying to cut down a Mugumo tree using a razor blade,” he said.
The former Deputy President also issued a warning ahead of a planned political event in Kikuyu, accusing Ichung’wah of mobilising groups to incite violence and destruction.
“Tell Ichung’wah we will be in Kikuyu on Saturday. He has been organising gangs to attack people, torch homes, and destroy businesses. He must stop this recklessness,” he alleged.
Gachagua further turned his criticism toward National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, accusing him of breaching parliamentary procedure by allowing repeated discussions about him without proper motions.
“You have allowed Parliament to debate me five times without a substantive motion. That is a failure of leadership. You are the Speaker, not a political operative for UDA,” he said.
He challenged Ichung’wah to follow due process if he wished to raise issues concerning him in the House, referencing Standing Order 51.
“If he wants to discuss me, let him bring a proper motion. They keep referring to me as their ‘kihii’—that must stop,” he added.
Wednesday’s encounter marked the first time Gachagua and Ruto have publicly addressed each other since November 16, 2024, when they briefly met during the installation of the Embu Catholic Bishop shortly after Gachagua’s impeachment.
