Gachagua Criticizes Ruto's Supporters for Celebrations Over his Health Concerns

Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua revealed on Sunday how deeply strained his relationship with President William Ruto had become.

Speaking after his release from Karen Hospital, where he had been admitted since Thursday, Gachagua made shocking claims of assassination attempts against him.

He detailed two incidents where he said state forces had tried to kill him. “On August 30 in Kisumu, undercover security agents bugged my hotel room, and one of them attempted to poison my food, but we discovered it and avoided the plot. They wanted to kill me by food poisoning.”

Gachagua also mentioned a second attempt in Nyeri just a week later. “On September 3, another team from the National Intelligence Service came to Nyeri and tried to poison food intended for me and the Kikuyu Council of Elders,” he alleged.

These alleged attempts preceded his impeachment, which occurred after he thwarted the plots. Gachagua expressed fear for his life, criticizing the withdrawal of his security detail from his homes in Nairobi and Nyeri, as well as the removal of his bodyguards. He accused President Ruto of defying court orders and taking steps to undermine his office. Gachagua was removed from his position following a historic Senate vote, after a motion passed in the National Assembly.

At least 236 MPs voted to replace him with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, sparking a legal battle over the rightful holder of the Deputy President’s office. As the courts address the issue, Gachagua voiced disappointment, accusing President Ruto of betraying him despite his significant role in their 2022 presidential victory.

“It’s unfortunate that my brother ordered the withdrawal of my security from the hospital. I’ve been here without a single officer. He even withdrew security guards from my rural home in Nyeri and my residence in Karen,” Gachagua said.

He claimed officers were disarmed and instructed not to approach him. “I’m shocked at how ruthless President Ruto has become, a man I helped to become President and supported unconditionally. To see him act so cruelly against me while I’m literally fighting for my life is unbelievable.”

Gachagua insisted that, based on court orders halting the Senate’s actions, he was still entitled to state privileges. “Judges in Kerugoya and Milimani issued conservatory orders staying the Senate’s proceedings. This means I’m still the Deputy President. But as of today, I have no security detail.”

He also decried the withdrawal of his transport, noting that his official vehicles had been confiscated. “Last night, all the vehicles of my officers were impounded,” he stated, expressing shock at the situation.

Gachagua claimed further persecution, revealing that orders were issued preventing him from using any airport or helicopter to travel to Kwale for the Mashujaa Day celebrations. “Wilson Airport was instructed not to allow me through, and private chopper owners were told not to let me use their helicopters to Kwale. I don’t understand it.”

Despite the turmoil, Gachagua asserted he held no grudges but said the events had deeply surprised him. “I had never seen this side of President Ruto. The man I’m seeing now is not the one I thought I knew.”

Gachagua lamented that he was being targeted despite being the only one who had fully supported President Ruto without demanding a written agreement. “I trusted President Ruto, and so did the people of my region. No one else trusted him without an MOU. I was the only one who did because we are Christians and used to go to church together.”

The Deputy President acknowledged that tensions with Ruto had been rising over the past year, with the impeachment vote serving as the final blow. He claimed his opposition to the Adani deals, forced evictions, tax measures, and the housing levy had earned him the President’s ire.

“I am the only one in Cabinet who can stand up to the President. No one else dares to challenge him,” Gachagua said, arguing that the 2010 constitution envisioned an elected Deputy President as a check on presidential overreach. He accused Ruto of wanting him removed to install “a puppet they can control.”

Confident that the judiciary would rule in his favor, Gachagua expressed readiness to face the Senate, although he questioned the speed of his removal. He criticized the Senate for not giving him an opportunity to present his case, arguing that there had been no need to rush the proceedings.

Gachagua was not present when Senate Speaker Amason Kingi called for him to testify and be cross-examined by National Assembly lawyers.