Gachagua escalates feud with Ruto, likens him to a 'pathological liar'

President William Ruto and former DP Rigathi Gachagua during Madaraka Day celebrations at Masinde Muliro Kanduyi stadium. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

The feud between former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and President William Ruto appears far from over.

Gachagua took to his X account, branding the Head of State a "pathological liar," although he did not directly mention him.

He accused Ruto of misleading Kenyans following a publicised interview in which the president suggested his former deputy was removed due to selfish interests, poor leadership, and an inability to work with other government officials.

"I am now more convinced than ever that pathological lying is a mental disorder," Gachagua wrote.

"The greatest existential threat to our beloved country is outright lying to the people of Kenya without blinking and failure by a leader to put his team together to harmonise their lies. I weep for my country, Kenya," he added.

His remarks came after Ruto's interview on vernacular TV stations ahead of his Mt Kenya tour, where he outlined reasons for Gachagua's ouster.

According to Ruto, the former deputy president demanded Sh10 billion to rally political support for him in the Mt Kenya region.

"I was told, 'I can make you a one-term president unless you give me Sh10 billion to organise politics in the region.' I refused. If my fate is to be a one-term president, so be it," Ruto said during the interview.

The president downplayed concerns about political tensions ahead of his nine-county tour of Mt Kenya, which begins today.

He said the visit is intended to update voters on his administration's progress.

"I am here because I was given a mandate by the people of Kenya, including those from Central Kenya. Starting tomorrow, it will be clear whether I have fulfilled my promises," he said.