Former deputy president and Democracy for The Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has responded sharply to President William Ruto’s assertion that the opposition lacks a clear agenda for Kenyans.
Speaking in an interview with KTN News, Gachagua insisted that his party has a comprehensive plan for the country and accused the government of poor management of public resources.
Gachagua argued that mismanagement and alleged misuse of funds by the Kenya Kwanza administration have reversed progress achieved under previous governments, particularly during the presidencies of Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta.
He cited ongoing financial challenges in the education sector as evidence of systemic failures, noting that some public secondary schools face auction due to unpaid debts to suppliers.
The DCP leader pointed to gaps between policy and practice in the education sector, highlighting that while free education is officially guaranteed, headteachers are still instructed to collect payments from parents to sustain school operations.
“On paper, education is free, but in reality, parents continue to bear significant costs,” Gachagua said, emphasizing the strain on families already coping with rising living expenses.
Education funding has been a recurring concern in Kenya, with capitation delays affecting thousands of schools nationwide.
Gachagua’s remarks underscore longstanding debates on the adequacy of government allocations and the effectiveness of monitoring mechanisms within the Ministry of Education.
The opposition leader also criticized President Ruto’s earlier comments urging Kenyans to disregard the opposition.
According to Gachagua, such statements overlook the role of opposition parties in promoting accountability and offering alternative policy solutions.
His critique reflects broader tensions between the Kenya Kwanza government and opposition formations as the country approaches a politically active period ahead of upcoming by-elections and the 2027 general election.