Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing political attack on President William Ruto, claiming the Head of State would struggle to secure even five per cent of votes in the Mt Kenya region if elections were held today.
Speaking to supporters during a rally in Kirinyaga County on Saturday, March 28, Gachagua asserted that Ruto’s political influence in the Central Highlands had significantly diminished.
The outspoken leader told the crowd that the president had lost the trust of voters in the region and challenged him to face him directly on his political home turf.
“Nataka nikwaambie William Ruto, mimi Riggy G nikiwa nyumbani hapa Kirinyaga, nikiwa mtoto ya Mau Mau, nakwambia leo mchana, ukipata five per cent ya kura hapa mlimani, Riggy G hapana mwanaume,” he declared to cheers from the audience.
The remarks highlight the growing political rift between the two leaders, once close allies during the 2022 general election campaign.
“Nataka nikwaambie William Ruto, mimi Riggy G nikiwa nyumbani hapa Kirinyaga, nikiwa mtoto ya Mau Mau, nakwambia leo mchana, ukipata five per cent ya kura hapa mlimani, Riggy G hapana mwanaume,” he declared to cheers from the audience.
The remarks highlight the growing political rift between the two leaders, once close allies during the 2022 general election campaign.
Their relationship has deteriorated in recent months amid mounting political tensions and shifting alliances ahead of the 2027 Kenyan General Election.
During his address, Gachagua accused Ruto of spreading misleading information about Kenya’s struggling coffee sector.
During his address, Gachagua accused Ruto of spreading misleading information about Kenya’s struggling coffee sector.
The former deputy president claimed the Head of State had attempted to blame him for challenges facing coffee farmers while addressing political gatherings in other regions of the country.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeskia juzi ukienda kwa Wajaluo kuongea mambo ya kahawa, kudanganya Wajaluo ati mimi ndio niliharibu kahawa,” Gachagua said, accusing the president of misrepresenting the situation.
He further alleged that the coffee industry suffered under Ruto’s watch due to collusion with powerful cartels.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeskia juzi ukienda kwa Wajaluo kuongea mambo ya kahawa, kudanganya Wajaluo ati mimi ndio niliharibu kahawa,” Gachagua said, accusing the president of misrepresenting the situation.
He further alleged that the coffee industry suffered under Ruto’s watch due to collusion with powerful cartels.
According to Gachagua, funds meant to support coffee farmers were mishandled, worsening the economic situation for growers in the Mt Kenya region, where coffee farming remains a key livelihood.
“Kasongo wewe ndio uliharibu kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukasambaratisha sector ya kahawa. Ile shillingi bilioni saba iliweza kusaidia wakulima wa kahawa, ukachukua ukaiba,” he charged.
The former deputy president also challenged Ruto to address him directly in the Mt Kenya region instead of criticising him in other parts of the country.
“Kasongo wewe ndio uliharibu kahawa. Ukashikana na macartel, ukasambaratisha sector ya kahawa. Ile shillingi bilioni saba iliweza kusaidia wakulima wa kahawa, ukachukua ukaiba,” he charged.
The former deputy president also challenged Ruto to address him directly in the Mt Kenya region instead of criticising him in other parts of the country.
Gachagua said the president had been attacking him while visiting areas such as Luo Nyanza and Western Kenya, rather than confronting him before voters in the Central Highlands.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeona unaenda kwa Waluhya, unaenda kwa Wajaluo kutukana Riggy G,” he said.
He referenced recent presidential visits to Thika and Juja, arguing that if Ruto was confident in his political strength, he should openly challenge him while addressing audiences in the Mt Kenya region.
“Jana ulikuwa Thika, ulikuwa Juja. Kama wewe ni mwanaume, kwa nini hukuongea mambo ya Riggy G ukiwa hapa mlimani?” he asked.
Gachagua went further, daring the president to come to Kirinyaga and publicly criticise him there if he believed he still had strong support in the region.
“Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa Kirinyaga, hapa mlimani, utusi Rigathi Gachagua, kiongozi wa Mlima Kenya, utajua hujui. Wewe Kasongo ni muoga,” he added.
The remarks underscore the intensifying political rivalry between the two leaders, which analysts say could significantly shape the dynamics of national politics in the coming years.
Mt Kenya remains one of Kenya’s most influential voting blocs, often playing a decisive role in determining presidential outcomes.
“Wewe Kasongo, nimeona unaenda kwa Waluhya, unaenda kwa Wajaluo kutukana Riggy G,” he said.
He referenced recent presidential visits to Thika and Juja, arguing that if Ruto was confident in his political strength, he should openly challenge him while addressing audiences in the Mt Kenya region.
“Jana ulikuwa Thika, ulikuwa Juja. Kama wewe ni mwanaume, kwa nini hukuongea mambo ya Riggy G ukiwa hapa mlimani?” he asked.
Gachagua went further, daring the president to come to Kirinyaga and publicly criticise him there if he believed he still had strong support in the region.
“Kama wewe ni mwanaume kamili, kuja hapa Kirinyaga, hapa mlimani, utusi Rigathi Gachagua, kiongozi wa Mlima Kenya, utajua hujui. Wewe Kasongo ni muoga,” he added.
The remarks underscore the intensifying political rivalry between the two leaders, which analysts say could significantly shape the dynamics of national politics in the coming years.
Mt Kenya remains one of Kenya’s most influential voting blocs, often playing a decisive role in determining presidential outcomes.
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