William Ruto Hits Back at Gachagua Over TikTok Remarks: “Unaongelea Msituni”
The political rivalry between President William Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, has escalated into a heated exchange of accusations about the country’s leadership.
Gachagua ignited the feud by accusing Ruto of enabling corruption, sparking a sharp response from the president. In his counterattack, Ruto criticized Gachagua, calling him allegedly incompetent and corrupt. He went further to blame these issues for Gachagua’s impeachment last year.
In Busia, the war of words between the two leaders continues, as both strive to gain the upper hand in public discourse over the state of governance in Kenya.
Ruto and Gachagua Clash Escalates Over Corruption and Leadership Claims
The war of words between President William Ruto and his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, intensified this week, with fresh accusations exchanged between the two leaders.
On Wednesday, January 22, while addressing a gathering in Luanda, President Ruto accused Gachagua of pushing divisive political rhetoric that risks fracturing the nation along regional and tribal lines. He further alleged that Gachagua’s impeachment was due to incompetence, poor leadership skills, and corruption. Ruto warned that such rhetoric would not be tolerated, stating it undermines efforts to unite the country.
A day later, on Thursday, January 23, Gachagua hit back, accusing Ruto of employing reverse psychology to evade accountability. Speaking to his supporters during a TikTok Live session, Gachagua alleged that Ruto himself is presiding over rampant corruption in government, making it hypocritical for him to criticize other leaders for similar issues.
The clash didn’t end there. While addressing a rally in Alupe, Busia, on the same day, President Ruto dismissed Gachagua’s remarks. He argued that Gachagua lacked the authority to lecture him on governance, citing the latter’s failure during his tenure as deputy president.
The ongoing feud underscores deep divisions and raises concerns about the state of leadership in Kenya.
“Those incompetent, tribal, selfish and corrupt leaders have no space in this country, and that is why we chased those who tried it. They were removed because of corruption, theft, ethnicity and negative personal things. And now they are talking from the forest wanting to give us lectures on how Kenya should go, where? I will remain firm and no one will divide Kenyans on hate and tribalism. We have all united and are one country,” Ruto fired.
“You are incompetent”, Ruto fires back at Gachagua during visit of Busia county. pic.twitter.com/MKwa65gOfW
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) January 23, 2025
Will Mt Kenya Back Ruto Again?
President William Ruto’s political standing in the Mt Kenya region appears uncertain as tensions with his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, deepen. The region played a pivotal role in Ruto’s 2022 presidential victory, contributing 3.5 million of the 7.1 million votes that secured his win against Raila Odinga, who had state backing. Gachagua, Ruto’s running mate at the time, has frequently credited himself as the key factor in delivering Mt Kenya’s overwhelming support.
However, two years into their administration, the relationship between the two leaders soured, culminating in Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024. The fallout has since triggered a shift in political allegiances within the region.
In a TikTok Live session with his supporters, Gachagua declared that Mt Kenya would no longer support Ruto, accusing the president of betraying the region by orchestrating his impeachment. He dismissed Ruto’s attempts to woo the region through government appointments for Mt Kenya natives, insisting that such efforts would not succeed. According to Gachagua, the region now seeks to establish new political alliances away from the president.
As Ruto faces increasing resistance from a region once considered a cornerstone of his electoral base, questions linger about the future of his political influence in Mt Kenya.