Gachagua Escalates Ruto Attack At Wamunyoro, Flags Governance And Economic Failures
Politics Updated: 23 June 2026 18:03 EAT
Photo Courtesy : Democracy for the Citizens Party Leader Rigathi Gachagua speaking during a press briefing at his Wamunyoro home
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua used a political briefing at his Wamunyoro residence to escalate criticism of President William Ruto’s administration, focusing on governance, electoral strategy, agricultural reforms, and regional political mobilisation. He framed the meeting as part of ongoing consultations aimed at shaping a unified opposition strategy ahead of the next general election.
Gachagua argued that Kiambu County holds significant electoral weight, insisting that its 1.5 million voters have historically influenced presidential outcomes. He said local leaders must consult residents on the question of a single opposition candidate against President Ruto.
“Kiambu is not just any other county; it has 1.5 million votes. Kiambu has determined who will be the president of Kenya, right? So with 1.5 million votes, they must hear the voice of their leaders… Do you want us to have one candidate to compete against William Ruto?”
He stated that his consultations are designed to secure a “mandate from the people” before committing to any political alignment or coalition arrangement. Gachagua said decisions on political direction must be rooted in grassroots consensus rather than elite negotiations.
“I have a mandate from you people… no leader can decide anything for the people. It is the people who decide… I need their guidance so that as I engage my brothers and sisters in the United Alternative government, I have a clear mandate.”
He added that the consultations would continue for about 45 days, after which a political position would be finalised and communicated to allies and supporters.
“In 45 days, we will have agreed, and then we go forward.”
Gachagua also attacked constitutional interpretations being made by unnamed political figures, accusing them of misrepresenting presidential term limits and electoral provisions.
“I have seen this DP playing with the constitution… a president is eligible for not more than two terms; it doesn't say you must serve two terms… there shall be an election every five years…”
He further criticised the same individual, alleging poor legal reasoning and accusing them of distorting constitutional interpretation for political convenience.
“You are embarrassing us, the mountain… you are reasoning like a standard-one child reading the constitution upside down.”
Gachagua claimed that President Ruto cannot mobilise “organic crowds” and accused the administration of paying for attendance at political rallies.
“William Ruto cannot address an organic crowd; people have to be transported in school buses… all the buses… are no longer available for students; they are fulfilling Kenyans from across the country to go and listen.”
He contrasted his own past role in agricultural reforms with current policy direction, particularly in the coffee sector, saying he had led reforms that improved farmer earnings.
“I was given the function of coming up with coffee reforms… today, farmers are getting a good pay because of the reforms that were initiated in the coffee sector.”
Gachagua alleged that those reforms were deliberately undermined by actors within government, including attempts to reverse policy decisions made under his oversight.
“William Ruto tried to sabotage those reforms… I wrote him a message and told him, ‘Keep off, don't interfere with my work… I want reforms to benefit coffee farmers.’”
He also cited sugar and coffee sector policy decisions, claiming inconsistency in government support for different farmer groups.
“In 2023, William Ruto approved 118 billion in debts for sugarcane farmers… but what about coffee farmers who assisted you to be president?”
Gachagua claimed that a proposed 7 billion shilling coffee farmers’ relief package was approved in cabinet but later cancelled after his exit from government.
“Every cabinet meeting… I tried to push for debt relief for coffee farmers… the waiver of 7 billion was passed by the cabinet… when I was removed from government, William Ruto canceled that plan.”
He urged the President to reinstate the alleged allocation, arguing that coffee farmers deserved equal treatment with other agricultural sectors.
“We want to ask William Ruto… can you reinstate the 7 billion shillings we had provided for in the budget?”
Gachagua escalated his rhetoric by accusing unnamed political actors of betraying their communities and working against regional interests for political gain.
“Traitors of the community are those people who are given money to help oppress the community… those people are called ‘Kakunia’… they are the traitors.”
He warned that such individuals would face political consequences in future elections, linking accountability to voter decisions.
“Those people will be punished next year… by 8:00 PM, they will be at home, and I can tell you the punishment… is never forgiven in this community.”
He further accused the government of attempting to politically isolate the Mt Kenya region but said opposition alliances had successfully countered the strategy.
“Your plan was to isolate this community… it has come to a cropper. We organized, united our people, and looked for our cousins.”
Gachagua referenced past political alignments, claiming earlier coalitions had attempted to structure national politics in a way that marginalised Mt Kenya interests.
“In 2007, you joined Raila Odinga and mobilized 41 against one… your plan was to isolate us; it has come to a cropper.”
He said the region had now built alliances with other communities across Kenya, including the Mijikenda, Luhya, Kisii, Kamba, Kuria, Maasai, and others.
“We have our cousins from the Mijikenda… Abaluhya… Akamba… Kuria… Maasai… Somaliland, Somalia. We are okay; we have many friends.”
He concluded that opposition mobilisation would continue but insisted that any political change must be achieved through constitutional means rather than violence.
“Opposition has no business causing violence… we want to remove William Ruto from office through a constitutional mechanism… at the ballot box.”
The Wamunyoro briefing adds to a series of increasingly direct political statements by Gachagua as he positions himself at the centre of emerging opposition realignments ahead of the 2027 election cycle.
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