Ruto openly criticised his former deputy, claiming that he was leading a leaderless movement without a plan, or even the moral authority to tell Kenyans where they should go next.
President William Ruto on Tuesday, February 4 clapped back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua after the latter continued his run of exposing behind-the-scenes events of his former boss in an explosive interview.
Speaking at Mandera Teachers Training College, the Head of State tore into Gachagua for interfering with the government’s agenda by attempting to divide Kenyans along various lines and through the payslips of the employed.
Ruto openly criticised his former deputy, claiming that he was leading a leaderless movement without a plan, or even the moral authority to tell Kenyans where they should go next.
The Head of State reaffirmed the government’s dedication to eliminating such backward criticism, emphasizing that individuals like Gachagua had no place in the nation’s political landscape.
Rigathi Gachagua addressing residents of Kiriaini Town in Murang’a County on February 2, 2025. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA
“I want to assure you that those attempting to divide us will fail and fail miserably. Now, they are attempting to divide us on tribal grounds, into the mainland and the coastal region, into those coming from Mt Kenya and those from the Rift Valley and those with or without payslips,” Ruto commented.
“These people have no plan, agenda, or ideas. They are leaderless and have no plan for this country. I want to promise you that they will not succeed in dividing our nation. Because they have no plan, they want to concentrate on dividing the nation and they will fail!”
While advocating for unity, the president declared the removal of the vetting process that was previously required in the Northern counties for Kenyans applying for Identification Cards (IDs).
“The issue of vetting which was discriminatory to the people of Northern Kenya and which made them seem like they were not part of Kenya when looking for an ID, I am going to abolish it,” the Head of State pledged.
Gachagua, meanwhile, during an interview with Western radio stations, claimed that President Ruto offered him Ksh2 billion to step down, assuring him that he would have a security detail, receive a salary, and would have a chance to run for a political seat in the future.
“The President told me, ‘Just resign, and I will give you two billion shillings so you can go home, rest, do your own things, have security, receive a salary, and you can run again for office in the future,” said Gachagua.
The former Deputy President stated that he rejected President Ruto’s offer, as he was unwilling to heed someone he believed was conspiring against him.
“I asked myself, can someone who is plotting against you offer you a solution on how to live? If you see someone planning bad things for you, the path they tell you to take is the one you should avoid,” he stated.
“The idea that if I am removed, I won’t run for office again means nothing to me. You know, people think I am someone who is overly self-centred, but it’s not necessary for me to hold any position in this Republic of Kenya,” Gachagua added.
Collage of President William Ruto (right) and his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua. /PCS.DPPS