Gachagua accuses Ruto of using state power to intimidate rivals

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during a political rally at Mulu Mutisya grounds in Machakos town on May 30, 2025. [ John Muia, Standard] Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using state resources and youth groups to disrupt his political rallies in Meru County. Speaking during a church service in Rwarera on Sunday, June 22, Gachagua claimed Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki had turned to financial inducements and threats to frustrate his rising political movement under the newly launched Democracy for the Citizens Party. "Kindiki gave MPs Sh3 million to pay youths to chase us away and be hostile to us in Imenti. He even paid them to light a bonfire in Tuskys, but instead, the youth began chanting 'one-term,'" said Gachagua. He alleged that lawmakers from Igembe and Tigania were bribed to arm youths with machetes and arrows to disrupt his events. However, he claimed the plan backfired. "When we arrive in those places, those sponsored youths are chanting 'one-term' and have no business attacking us. They are welcoming us with songs everywhere we go in Meru," observed Gachagua. The former Deputy President, who was removed from office in October last year after a public fallout with Ruto, said the President had lost political ground in the Mt. Kenya region. "Ruto is angry because he knows he has lost the Mountain. Don't blame me-I told you long ago that the people of Mt. Kenya do not like betrayal and lies. They cannot support you anymore," he stated. "Forget this Mountain, it is gone forever. I gave you good advice but you ignored me," added Gachagua. He also accused the President of interfering with churches in Meru, claiming clergy from the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa were summoned to State House and threatened not to invite him. "Ruto wants to dictate who should go to which church. This is the highest form of dictatorship," he noted. He likened Ruto's leadership to a rogue matatu that changes its route mid-journey. "If you board a matatu to Eastleigh, it is branded number 9 but it converts to No. 6 with the same vehicle and crew. That is how Ruto's politics works, unreliable and deceptive," explained Gachagua. He criticised Ruto's political alliance with opposition leader Raila Odinga, calling it a betrayal of the voters who supported the United Democratic Alliance in 2022. "He has lost four million votes trying to gain one million votes in the lake region. Don't blame me, I am not the cause of your problems. You betrayed, humiliated and misused our people," said Gachagua. He went on to accuse the government of unleashing criminal gangs to suppress dissent, referencing last year's youth-led protests and recent unrest in Nairobi. "President Ruto has sunk this country so low that he is now using goons to run it. You sent police officers to Haiti to fight criminal gangs, yet in Kenya goons are terrorising ordinary citizens. We are now questioning the real motive of the Haiti mission," he remarked. Flanked by former Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, a fellow critic of Ruto, Gachagua claimed the government was applying double standards when responding to protests and politically connected violence. "Those planning demonstrations are threatened with arrest while looters and criminals aligned to government leaders walk free," he observed. He also cautioned against efforts to divide the Kikuyu community along regional lines for political benefit. "Ruto tried to split the Mountain into East and West using local leaders but we stood firm. Our unity is our strength and what makes us relevant in national politics," said Gachagua. "I have a responsibility as a leader and will never allow anyone to divide the Mountain," he added.

Gachagua accuses Ruto of using state power to intimidate rivals

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Gachagua accuses Ruto of using state power to intimidate rivals

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