Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at President William Ruto after the President questioned whether retired President Uhuru Kenyatta could defeat him in the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, dismissed Ruto’s argument, saying Uhuru was not responsible for his election as President in 2022.
“Mr. William Ruto, I have heard you brag and fallaciously argue that Rtd. President Uhuru Kenyatta did not defeat you when he was President and that can't defeat you now that he is retired,” Gachagua said.
He argued that Ruto won the 2022 presidential election despite Uhuru opposing his bid, adding that his victory should not be interpreted as evidence that Uhuru failed to defeat him.
“No! President Uhuru Kenyatta did not sufficiently convince me and a majority of Kenyans that you were incapable of leading the country,” Gachagua said.
According to Gachagua, Ruto’s record since taking office had allegedly vindicated concerns that Uhuru had previously raised about his leadership. He claimed that Uhuru therefore no longer needed to convince Kenyans about Ruto ahead of the 2027 election.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is not your opponent in this election. You are just trying a bad deflection. Poor tactic Mr. Ruto, but we know you very well,” he said.
Gachagua instead portrayed ordinary Kenyans as Ruto’s main political opponents, citing workers, young people, business owners, patients, parents and students among groups he claimed had been affected by the administration’s policies.
“55 million Kenyans are your opponents,” Gachagua said, accusing the government of imposing economic pressure on citizens and making claims about abductions, deaths, healthcare and the cost of living.
The former deputy president also alleged that Ruto was relying on money to mobilise crowds at political events, citing his recent appearance in Olkalou and the reported events in Embu-Nembure.
“Kenyans will take your money and vote you out,” Gachagua said, while describing Olkalou as a “dress rehearsal” for the 2027 General Election.
He further claimed that opposition leaders did not require financial sponsorship to mobilise voters, saying Kenyans were already determined to change the government.
Gachagua acknowledged that opposition parties and leaders still had to settle on a single presidential candidate to challenge Ruto in 2027.
“The decision to vote you out is settled, and only one matter is outstanding to complete the picture: the identification of a single presidential candidate,” he said.