Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has publicly criticized President William Ruto over the size of his delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. Gachagua claimed that more than 500 people accompanied Ruto to the assembly at public expense, labeling it a "sheer waste of public resources." This statement was made while addressing Kenyans in the diaspora in Dallas, Texas, on Saturday evening.
Gachagua specifically mentioned that all Cabinet ministers had traveled for the assembly, singling out those drawn from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM). He expressed concern that such spending was a reason Kenyans were demanding that the opposition unite behind a single candidate against Ruto in 2027. Gachagua's comments reflect his stance on responsible use of public funds and the need for opposition unity.
In his address, Gachagua pledged to unconditionally support whoever emerges as the United Opposition's presidential candidate in 2027. He challenged his fellow aspirants to make a similar public commitment, emphasizing the importance of unity in the opposition. Gachagua urged his colleagues to direct their supporters to stop making statements suggesting they would back Ruto if their preferred aspirant missed the ticket.
Gachagua listed several aspirants he said Kenyans would accept as the opposition's flagbearer, including Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang'i, Martha Karua, and Eugene Wamalwa. He argued that voters had already settled on who they did not want and were waiting for the opposition to present a candidate. According to Gachagua, gender and age were immaterial to voters as long as the candidate was above 18 years.
The former Deputy President claimed that a scientific poll he had commissioned placed Ruto's approval rating at 17 percent, suggesting that the figure could only worsen for a sitting president. This, he argued, indicated a significant level of dissatisfaction among Kenyans with Ruto's leadership. Gachagua's comments reflect his assessment of the current political landscape in Kenya.
Gachagua emphasized that the opposition's choice of a flagbearer would be guided by practicality and cost-effectiveness rather than prejudice or past alliances. Citing his extensive political experience, he noted that this would be his seventh presidential election and that he had never lost an election. His confidence in his abilities and experience is clear in his statements.
Gachagua warned that any aspirant attaching conditions to the pact was not genuine about the push for a single presidential candidate. He added that some of his partners had been "a little bit slippery" in their commitments. The push for unity and a single candidate in the opposition is a key aspect of Gachagua's current political strategy.
Key points
- Gachagua criticizes Ruto's large UNGA delegation as a waste of public resources.
- Gachagua pledges to support the United Opposition's presidential candidate in 2027.
- Gachagua claims Ruto's approval rating is at 17 percent based on a scientific poll.
