NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has launched a fresh attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of extorting politicians seeking elective positions through his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).
Speaking on Monday, November 9, 2026, during a public rally in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County, Ruto described Gachagua as a “chief extortionist”, alleging that aspirants were being forced to pay millions of shillings to secure political opportunities within the party.
The President made the remarks during the launch of the Riamoni-Nyangori Road and Last Mile Connectivity project, where he accused the former Deputy President of turning political access and party participation into opportunities for financial exploitation.
Ruto claimed that some politicians seeking elective positions were being asked to pay substantial amounts, while even accessing a microphone during political gatherings allegedly came at a price.
“Wewe ndiye chief extortionist. Umefukuzwa kazini kwa sababu ya extortion. Unawaishia candidates wa chama yako ni extortionist. Kila mtu akikuja kwako lazima atoe pesa,” Ruto said.
He went on to cite alleged demands of Ksh100 million and Ksh20 million from politicians, alongside a purported Ksh50,000 charge for individuals seeking an opportunity to address political gatherings.
“Sijui gavana anatoa milioni 100, sijui mwingine milioni 20. Ati mpaka hata kuchukua microphone kama hii, ati lazima unipe 50,000. Extortionist,” he added.
Ruto did not provide supporting evidence for the allegations during his address.
Ruto challenges Gachagua over claims about voters
The President also criticised Gachagua over his remarks concerning residents attending government functions, challenging the former Deputy President to respect voters and recognise their independence in making political decisions.
Ruto questioned suggestions that people attending his public meetings were being paid, arguing that such claims undermined the dignity and independence of ordinary Kenyans.
“Please, my friend, heshimu wananchi wa Kenya. Wewe ndiye chief extortionist,” he said.
He urged residents not to allow politicians to dictate their political choices, insisting that voters had the freedom to determine who should lead them.
“Hawa wananchi ni watu wako na akili. Wao ndio wataamua nani kiongozi, nani si kiongozi,” Ruto added.
The President repeatedly challenged the notion that politicians could claim ownership of voters or determine their political loyalties, maintaining that the electorate would ultimately decide the country’s leadership.
Ruto revisits political fallout with Gachagua
Ruto also dismissed Gachagua’s repeated assertions that he played a decisive role in securing his victory in the 2022 presidential election.
In a pointed comparison of their electoral records, the President said he had won seven elective contests, while Gachagua had been elected only once.
“Mimi nimechaguliwa mara saba. Wewe umejichaguliwa mara moja. Kiburi mwingi na akili kidogo. Bure kabisa,” Ruto said.
The remarks underline the increasingly personal nature of the political fallout between the two leaders, who served together following the 2022 General Election before their relationship deteriorated.
Gachagua, who now leads the DCP, has positioned himself among opposition figures seeking to challenge Ruto in the August 2027 presidential election.
Gachagua previously accused Ruto of targeting DCP aspirants
The latest accusations come after Gachagua previously accused the President of using state power to intimidate and discourage politicians seeking elective positions through his party.
In 2025, while unveiling DCP candidates, the former Deputy President alleged that the government was buying off, coercing and intimidating aspirants to weaken his political outfit.
Also Read: Gachagua accuses Ruto of looting public coffers to build wealth
He maintained that the alleged interference was intended to undermine the party’s ability to field candidates and build support ahead of the 2027 elections.
Ruto’s latest remarks turn the accusations back on Gachagua, with the President now alleging that the former Deputy President is financially exploiting politicians seeking opportunities within his own party.
The competing claims expose the growing battle over political influence, party recruitment and the loyalty of aspirants as Kenya’s political formations position themselves for the next General Election.
With both leaders increasingly trading accusations in public rallies, the dispute is likely to remain a significant feature of the emerging 2027 political contest.
