- Rigathi Gachagua recounted events leading to the election of President William Ruto and explained why Mt. Kenya did not back former prime minister Raila Odinga
- Gachagua revealed what led to his fallout with the president before he was impeached in October 2024
- Gachagua also addressed a question regarding his reconciliation with Ruto following the ouster and constant criticism
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features in digital and print media.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has revisited the events leading up to the 2022 General Election that brought President William Ruto to power.
Source: Facebook
He recalled retired president Uhuru Kenyatta’s warning against supporting Ruto, arguing that the former head of state failed to provide the people of Mt. Kenya with sufficient evidence to justify his caution.
Gachagua said that if Uhuru had revealed more details about Ruto, the region would have made a different choice.
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“If Uhuru Kenyatta had told us what he really knew about Ruto and the reason why we were to avoid him, instead of just speaking vaguely, we would not be in this situation. If he had told us who Ruto is, we would not be in this hole,” he said.
He added that the alternative candidate presented to Mt. Kenya, the late former prime minister Raila Odinga, was also not the best choice.
“Again, the choice he brought was also not good,” he added, while appreciating his role in the opposition.
What happened after William Ruto’s election?
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader further claimed that after Ruto’s election, he discovered the president was untrustworthy and accused him of plundering the country, undermining education, and showing hostility toward Mt. Kenya residents.
The fallout between Gachagua and Ruto culminated in the days leading to his impeachment in October 2024.
“We elected him thinking he was a good person. On reaching them, I found out that he could not be trusted. He has plundered and destroyed the country. He hates us, the people from Mt. Kenya. When I saw he was a bad person, I had to tell my people because they would have blamed me. I disagreed with him mostly on the killings of Gen Z,” he explained.
Since then, Gachagua has remained a fierce critic of the government.
He also claimed that he would not shake hands with Ruto because his ‘hands are full of blood’ and that his conscience would not allow him to seek rapprochement.
How did Kenyans react to Gachagua’s remarks?
James Odinga
“So it’s Uhuru’s fault now? Accountability works both ways—Mt. Kenya’s choices were also their own. Gachagua is pointing fingers, but leadership is about building consensus, not passing blame.”
Junior James
“We are waiting to see if Gachagua will ever get even a half of what Raila got.”
Zachary Ngugī
“Does it mean that those who proposed the late Hon Raila were wrong, but you who proposed the other brigade were right, then if you were right,why continue lamenting, since the third force didn’t seem to be the best?”
Liz Mireri
“Na simuwache baba apumzike, mbona mnafungua kidonda haijapona.”
Mar Vee
“Your statements always haunts. It’s so unfortunate you have opened up that Baba wasn’t a choice. 2027 going forward, vumbi throughout.”
Why did Uhuru endorse Raila?
Meanwhile, Uhuru announced his support for Raila and the Azimio coalition, citing Raila’s ability to unite the nation.
Uhuru actively campaigned for Raila, stating that his leadership would deliver real change for the country.
The coalition faced stiff competition from Kenya Kwanza’s presidential candidate, Ruto, who was eventually declared the winner of the polls after Supreme Court ruling upheld the results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
