KIRINYAGA, Kenya — Months after President William Ruto publicly claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua demanded Ksh 10 billion to manage Mt Kenya politics, the former second-in-command has launched a fresh counter-attack against his erstwhile boss.
In a fiery address delivered on Sunday, June 15, 2025, at Kagio Holy Spirit Church in Kirinyaga, Gachagua vehemently criticized President Ruto, accusing him of orchestrating betrayal within his own inner circle.
Gachagua alleged that Ruto paid his personal assistant Ksh 20 million and an advisor Ksh10 million to undermine him.
“Unajua huyu Ruto alilipa my PA 20 million akanisaliti, niko na advisor hapo akamlipa 10 million akanisaliti. Nilikuwa na officers wawili akawalipa pesa wakinisaliti,” Gachagua asserted on Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Loosely translated: “You know, this Ruto paid my personal assistant Ksh20 million to betray me. I had an advisor, he paid him Ksh10 million to betray me. I had two officers, he paid them money to betray me.”
At the time of this publication, the former Deputy President did not specify when these alleged events occurred, nor did he authoritatively name the personal assistant in question. President Ruto had not yet publicly responded to Gachagua’s latest claims.
Defense of Pastor Dorcas and personal liberty
Gachagua also passionately defended his wife, Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, whom he hailed as his steadfast pillar. He emphasized his right to choose how he appears in public, particularly with his spouse, and sharply rebuked any interference in his family matters.
“Nikitaka kutembea na Pastor Dorcas, nitembee na yeye. Nikitaka kutembea kivyangu, nitembee kivyangu. Wewe Rais tembea vile unataka. Watu yako watembee vile wanataka. Wale wako na mabibi nne waamue kama watatembea na wote pamoja ama moja moja. But do not interfere with mine. Muwachane na mambo ya familia ya mtu,” Gachagua declared.
Loosely translated: “If I want to walk with Pastor Dorcas, I’ll walk with her. If I want to go my own way, I’ll do so. You, President, live as you wish. Let your people do as they please. Those with four wives can decide whether to walk with all of them together or one at a time. But do not interfere with my life. Leave people’s family matters alone.”
He further suggested that attempts to isolate him were a deliberate ploy to render him vulnerable, adding, “Wangetaka nitembee peke yangu ndio wapate mahali pa kunitegea.” (Loosely translated: “They wanted me to walk alone so they could find a way to trap me.”) Gachagua highlighted his wife’s supportive role, noting she even carries his water and food.
Ruto’s counter-critique from Kakamega
On the very same day, in Kakamega, President Ruto, while speaking at Friends Comprehensive School in Kivaywa, delivered a sharp critique of the opposition, including Gachagua, accusing them of lacking a coherent plan for Kenya’s development.
“Hawa watu wengine, hawana mpango,” Ruto stated. “And we cannot hand over to people hawana mpango, ati mpango yao ni Ruto must go. Ruto must go itakusaidia na nini? Hujui vile vijana wetu watapata kazi, hujui vile kilimo itaendelea, hujui vile watoto watasoma.”
Loosely translated: “These other people have no plan, and we cannot hand over leadership to people without a plan, whose only agenda is ‘Ruto must go.’ How will ‘Ruto must go’ help you? You don’t know how our youth will get jobs, you don’t know how agriculture will progress, you don’t know how children will get an education.”
