Wamuzi News Ke
Tensions within Kenya Kwanza exploded into full public view on Tuesday after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a fierce and direct attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of manufacturing fear to tighten his grip on power.
In a strongly worded press statement, Gachagua dismissed President Ruto’s claims that a section of political actors were plotting to overthrow the government. He labeled the allegations “unfounded, dangerous, and deliberately misleading,” warning that such accusations only serve to incite fear, stifle opposition, and justify authoritarian tactics.
“Nobody is plotting to remove you outside the Constitution,” Gachagua stated firmly, addressing the President directly. “We will defeat you at the ballot in 2027—peacefully, legally, and through the will of the people.”
The remarks come just days after President Ruto claimed that certain unnamed individuals were fueling unrest in a bid to destabilize his administration. Speaking during a government function, Ruto had warned that he would not allow shortcuts to power and pledged to use every legal mechanism to protect national stability.
But Gachagua has interpreted the president’s message as a thinly veiled threat to silence critics. He accused Ruto’s administration of turning to oppressive laws, including anti-terror legislation, to target dissenting voices and opposition supporters.
“We know the playbook. Label your opponents as criminals, terrorists, and anarchists—and then arrest or intimidate them,” Gachagua charged. “That is not leadership. That is desperation.”
He further alleged that the violence seen during the Saba Saba protests was not organic, but rather orchestrated by elements within the state to justify a security crackdown.
“Who was behind the burning of property in Nairobi? Who were those men in plain clothes assaulting peaceful demonstrators? The people know the truth,” he said.
In a rare move, Gachagua shifted the focus back to bread-and-butter issues, reminding Ruto of the promises made to ordinary Kenyans. He challenged the President to fulfill his campaign pledges instead of focusing on political conspiracy theories.
“You promised jobs, dignity, and fairness. Kenyans are tired. They want action, not excuses. End the abductions. End the profiling of young people. End the silence when things go wrong,” he added.
The statement has sent political shockwaves across the country, further exposing a widening rift between former close allies who once stood united in their bid to lead the country after the 2022 elections.
Analysts say the ongoing fallout could have long-term implications for the stability of the ruling coalition. With elections just two years away, Gachagua’s direct confrontation marks a significant escalation in Kenya’s volatile political landscape.
For now, the public awaits President Ruto’s official response. But one thing is clear: the internal war within Kenya Kwanza is no longer hidden in closed-door meetings—it is playing out in full view of a restless nation.
