President William Ruto. Photo/Al Jazeera
By Wanderi Kamau
President William Ruto has accused former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of demanding Sh10 billion from him for political mobilization in Mt Kenya, claiming that when he refused, Gachagua threatened to turn him into a one-term president.
Speaking to Kikuyu, Embu and Meru radio and TV stations at Sagana State Lodge in Mathira, Nyeri County, Ruto detailed the alleged fallout between him and his deputy, painting a picture of growing tensions within the Kenya Kwanza government.
“Gachagua demanded Sh10 billion from me to do political mobilization for me in Mt Kenya. When I refused, he threatened to make me a one-term president. I said it is okay,” Ruto claimed.
Frequent clashes
The president also revealed that he had saved Gachagua from impeachment twice, saying that the former deputy president frequently clashed with key figures in government, including Ruto’s close allies.
“I had saved him twice from impeachment by MPs,” Ruto said.
“He was colliding with everyone—Dennis Itumbi, my Personal Assistant Farouk Kibet, and Ndindi Nyoro—on very petty issues. I used to hold a case every week to solve his conflicts with different people,” he added.
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Ruto further stated that he had advised Gachagua to avoid unnecessary confrontations but said he grew tired of constantly mediating disputes involving his deputy.
“I tried to advise him that at his position, he should avoid such scenarios. I was tired,” the president said.
Government development projects
Amid the political tensions, Ruto emphasized that his administration is focused on delivering development projects in Mt Kenya.
He announced that the government is constructing 87 modern markets across the region to support small-scale traders and boost economic activities.
“The government is building 87 markets across Mt Kenya to provide traders with better working conditions and improve the region’s economy. We are focused on development, not political squabbles,” Ruto stated.
The accusations and counter-claims mark a new escalation in the political rift between Ruto and Gachagua, signaling deeper divisions within the ruling coalition as succession politics take center stage ahead of the 2027 elections.
