Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lifted the lid on his strained relationship with President William Ruto, citing the contentious Adani deal as the breaking point. Speaking at the AIPCA Kangari Church in Kigumo, Murang’a County, Gachagua accused the President of betraying the trust of the Kenyan people and failing to address public outcry over the deal.
“We have now seen Ruto’s true colours and understood the kind of person he is,” Gachagua declared to the congregation. “Initially, he approached us with the Bible, making it difficult to know him. It’s very good that he brought the fight in his first term; if it were in the second term, he would have really disturbed us. Now we know how we are going to deal with him.”
The fallout revolves around the now-cancelled Adani deal, a controversial agreement that would have handed management of key Kenyan airports to a foreign firm. Gachagua criticized the Ruto administration for its apparent disregard for the concerns of Kenyan citizens, stating, “It’s so sad that it has to take the intervention of the American government for us to listen to what our people are saying.”
The former Deputy President’s remarks come amid mounting scrutiny over the deal, which sparked widespread public backlash and opposition from various quarters. Gachagua’s comments suggest growing discontent within Ruto’s former allies, signaling a significant shift in Kenya’s political landscape.
Despite the political undertones of his speech, Gachagua also took time to contribute to the local community, donating Ksh 1 million to support church projects. This comes at a time when the role of politicians in funding church activities has been under the spotlight, with some quarters questioning the influence such donations may have on religious institutions.
Gachagua’s blunt criticism of Ruto marks a turning point in their political relationship, with the former Deputy President signaling a readiness to challenge the President’s leadership. As the fallout continues to unfold, Kenyans will be watching closely to see how this rift impacts the country’s political dynamics in the months ahead.
