Kenyan President William Ruto has publicly criticized his former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua, questioning his integrity and alleging that his behavior contributed to his impeachment. During a tour of Gusii, President Ruto accused Mr. Gachagua of pressuring businesspeople and aspirants seeking the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ticket to make payments in exchange for political favors. The President's comments come amid a long-standing feud between the two leaders.
President Ruto also dismissed Mr. Gachagua's claims that he played a crucial role in securing his election as President in 2022. The President insisted that he personally campaigned for votes across the country and rejected Mr. Gachagua's assertions that he was the kingmaker in his 2022 presidential election success. Mr. Gachagua has consistently maintained that he played a central role in delivering the Mt Kenya voting bloc to President Ruto during the 2022 General Election.
The once-formidable political partnership between President Ruto and Mr. Gachagua unraveled following his impeachment. According to Mr. Gachagua, President Ruto picked him as his running mate specifically to mobilize support and secure votes in the Mt Kenya region. However, President Ruto offered a different account of the events leading to the selection of his running mate under the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
President Ruto revealed that Mr. Gachagua secured only four votes from the Mt Kenya Members of Parliament Caucus during the selection process. The President claimed he personally intervened to persuade the legislators to accept Mr. Gachagua, backing him because he believed he was "a mature person." The President's comments suggest a deeper rift between the two leaders.
During his tour of Gusii, President Ruto launched and inspected several development projects, including the Riamoni-Esani-Machururiati-Nyangori Road and the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project at Nyangori. He also inspected the Manga Affordable Housing Project and toured the Ogembo Affordable Housing Project. The President's tour aimed to address concerns raised by Gusii leaders and showcase his administration's commitment to development.
President Ruto also announced a Sh3.7 billion investment to address longstanding challenges in the tea sector, which will benefit tea farmers in Gusii and the Rift Valley. The funding will help modernize tea factories, improve productivity, and narrow the disparities in bonus payments between farmers in different regions. The President's announcement comes as a reprieve to tea farmers who have felt discriminated against.
The President's criticism of Mr. Gachagua is the latest development in their ongoing feud. Mr. Gachagua has previously dismissed similar allegations, arguing that if his politics were driven by money, he would not have rejected an alleged offer by the government side to resign and avoid the impeachment drama. The exchange between the two leaders highlights the deep-seated tensions within Kenya's political landscape.
Key points
- President Ruto criticizes former Deputy President Gachagua over alleged misconduct and claims of being the kingmaker in his 2022 presidential election success.
- President Ruto announces a Sh3.7 billion investment to address challenges in the tea sector, benefiting farmers in Gusii and the Rift Valley.
- The feud between President Ruto and Mr. Gachagua highlights the tensions within Kenya's political landscape.
