Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has fired back at President William Ruto after the Head of State accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of being the “chief financier” and “sponsor” of the opposition.
Speaking at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, August 14, Gachagua told Ruto to leave Uhuru alone and focus on the politician he says will actually challenge him in the 2027 General Election.
“William Ruto, please leave President Uhuru Kenyatta alone. President Uhuru Kenyatta is retired and face your competitor, Rigathi Gachagua,” Gachagua told journalists.
The DCP party leader went further, insisting that he should be viewed as Ruto's principal political challenger rather than the country's fourth president.
“You cannot pretend that you are in competition with President Uhuru Kenyatta. He will not be on the ballot,” Gachagua asserted.
Ruto Accuses Uhuru of Funding Opposition
The exchange followed remarks by President Ruto on Thursday in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, where he accused his predecessor of acting as the “chief financier” and “sponsor” of the opposition.
Ruto claimed Uhuru was organising political proxies to challenge his administration and ultimately unseat him in the 2027 election.
“When you look at those people, didn’t their sponsor fail at matters of affordable housing?” Ruto asked supporters in Eldoret.
“Now he has gone to organise his proxies, sending people here to come and compete with me,” he added.
The remarks placed Uhuru at the centre of Ruto's latest attack on political forces he believes are positioning themselves against his administration ahead of the next election.
Gachagua Turns the Attack Back on Ruto
Rather than defending Uhuru at length, Gachagua used the opportunity to turn the confrontation directly towards Ruto.
The former deputy president criticised what he described as failures of the Kenya Kwanza administration, pointing to issues including the use of goons and what he termed failures within the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“It is not President Uhuru Kenyatta who advised you to suspend the rule of law and use gonism as a way of life,” Gachagua said.
His remarks underline the increasingly direct nature of his political confrontation with his former boss.
The two leaders, once central figures in the same administration, have now positioned themselves on opposing sides as the 2027 political contest begins to take shape.
Ruto Says He Will Defeat His Rivals
Despite the growing attacks from political opponents, Ruto remains confident about his chances of securing another term.
Speaking in Eldoret, the President assured his supporters that he would defeat those challenging his administration.
“I will defeat these people early in the morning,” Ruto said.
The declaration sets the tone for what is expected to become an increasingly aggressive political contest as major political figures position themselves ahead of 2027.
For Gachagua, however, the message to Ruto is already clear, stop blaming Uhuru and face the man who says he will be on the ballot against you.