Wamuzi News Ke
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has strongly opposed President William Ruto’s alliance with ODM leader Raila Odinga, dismissing it as politically ineffective and unlikely to secure Ruto victory in the next general election.
Speaking during an interview on Kameme FM on March 17, 2025, Gachagua claimed that Raila’s influence on the national stage has significantly diminished, arguing that his traditional voter base has already abandoned him.
“Kenya needs to wake up. Farmers are struggling, and I wanted to assist them, but Ruto changed course. Raila cannot bring any additional value—his support has dwindled everywhere, including Ukambani. The president’s backing alone is not enough to win,” Gachagua stated.
He emphasized that Ruto’s grip on key regions, including Mt Kenya, has weakened, making it difficult for him to consolidate a broad support base. According to Gachagua, Raila’s inclusion in the government is not a game-changer and will not guarantee electoral success.
Additionally, he accused Raila of fabricating narratives about security agencies to justify his sudden alliance with Ruto after years of rivalry.
“Even the claims Raila made about the military were just an excuse. He was merely trying to defend why he aligned himself with Ruto,” Gachagua remarked.
Addressing accusations of tribal politics, Gachagua dismissed critics, arguing that those pointing fingers at him are the same individuals responsible for state appointments. He defended his 2022 pact with Ruto, describing it as a practical political arrangement rather than a tribal allegiance.
“Our agreement was straightforward—we delivered votes, and he was to ensure we got positions. No one accused Raila of tribalism for making similar deals,” he said.
However, he accused Ruto of sidelining Mount Kenya leaders, citing instances where influential government roles were taken away from individuals in the region.
“For example, the Budget and Appropriations Committee seat was stripped from Ndindi Nyoro and given to Sam Atandi. That position belonged to Mount Kenya, but it was handed elsewhere,” Gachagua lamented.
Reflecting on the 2022 election, he admitted that Mount Kenya made a strategic mistake by not forming an independent political party, likening their situation to attending a wedding with someone else’s invitation card.
“We should have had our own party. We trusted him, thinking he wouldn’t betray us, but we miscalculated,” he noted.
He further alleged that Ruto systematically weakened Mount Kenya’s presence in government, referencing the removal of Githii Mburu from the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) as part of a broader purge.
“My troubles with Ruto began when I confronted him about sidelining our people. That’s when he started plotting my downfall and turning the cabinet against me,” Gachagua claimed.
Expressing disappointment over the silence of other Mount Kenya leaders, he accused them of allowing the region’s political influence to dwindle without resistance.
“He is now dismissing our people without hesitation, and no one is speaking up. I used to stand against such moves,” he asserted.
