In what could be one of the most damning political accusations in recent Kenyan history, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto is using public resources to construct a road leading directly to his privately owned hotel in Meru County.

The bombshell claims were made during a charged church address in Murang’a County, where Gachagua delivered a scathing critique of the President’s alleged personal enrichment at the expense of the Kenyan public.

“He has grabbed land in Naivasha, in Narok, and even in the forest. Now he has built a hotel in Meru, and the only road being constructed there is the one leading to that hotel,” said Gachagua to a stunned congregation. “Is that development, or is it greed?”

This latest development comes at a time when tensions between Gachagua and Ruto have reached unprecedented levels, following a widening rift in the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and a flurry of accusations from both camps. Gachagua, once Ruto’s staunchest political ally and running mate in the 2022 general elections, is now positioning himself as a leading opposition voice within Mt. Kenya—a region that played a pivotal role in electing Ruto.

Accusations of Land Grabbing and Preferential Development

According to Gachagua, the President is engaging in systematic land acquisition across key regions, including Naivasha, Narok, and Meru, under the guise of investment. The former DP stated that these acquisitions are allegedly followed by taxpayer-funded infrastructure developments—primarily roads—to serve private ventures.

Gachagua’s statement painted a picture of state machinery being used to facilitate the President’s commercial interests. He emphasized that while large swaths of Kenyans continue to suffer due to stalled government projects and budgetary austerity, the Head of State appears to prioritize building roads for personal convenience.

“While Kenyans are crying for roads to access schools and hospitals, the President is busy ensuring that the road to his hotel in Meru is built,” Gachagua charged.

Flashback to the Ngong Forest Controversy

This isn’t the first time Gachagua has alleged that President Ruto is misusing public office for personal gain. Just weeks ago, the former DP accused the President of grabbing a section of the Ngong Forest to construct a luxury camping facility. Following a public outcry, the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) halted the project and began an inquiry into the matter.

Gachagua now claims that his efforts to expose the Ngong Forest land saga led to retaliation from Ruto, including intimidation and the sudden summoning of KFS officials to halt the development “under the cover of legality.”

“When I began exposing the President’s secretive projects, he used his office to block mine. That is the kind of leadership we are dealing with today—vindictive and dishonest,” Gachagua stated.

Widening Rift in the Mountain

The fallout from these accusations is reverberating throughout Mt. Kenya, where Gachagua continues to enjoy significant support. His recent tours across Nyeri, Murang’a, and Meru counties have attracted large crowds, many of whom express growing disillusionment with the Ruto administration’s handling of the economy, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Political analysts say Gachagua’s revelations are not just about corruption—they represent a broader rebellion brewing within the UDA’s Mt. Kenya base. As frustrations mount over unmet campaign promises and economic hardship, Gachagua appears to be rallying a regional movement under what he calls a “restoration of honesty and equity” in government.

“This region was promised a fair share of national development. Instead, we are watching roads being constructed to hotels that belong to a few elites,” he said.

State House Response Remains Elusive

As of publication, State House has not issued an official response to Gachagua’s allegations. However, sources close to the presidency have dismissed the claims as “wild” and “politically motivated,” accusing the former deputy president of attempting to destabilize the government from within.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, believed to be a key Ruto ally in the Mount Kenya region, has also come under pressure to respond. Earlier this week, Kindiki dismissed what he called “propaganda aimed at derailing development” and cautioned leaders against using public platforms to “spread lies for political survival.”

Despite these denials, Gachagua insists that the public deserves transparency, vowing to provide documents, satellite imagery, and witness testimony to prove that the road in Meru leads to a presidential hotel project.

Rising Political Tensions Ahead of 2027

The shocking nature of the allegations, combined with the ongoing political split in the ruling coalition, sets the stage for an explosive run-up to the 2027 general election. If proven true, the claims could irreparably damage President Ruto’s image and threaten the unity of the Kenya Kwanza coalition.

Gachagua has hinted at forming a new political front focused on reclaiming Mt. Kenya’s autonomy and redistributing development resources equitably.

“Enough is enough. We cannot allow a few individuals to hijack the state for their own benefit while ordinary citizens suffer. We will resist, and we will expose everything,” Gachagua concluded during his fiery sermon.