Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Accuses President Ruto of Betrayal and Persecution

In a press address after being discharged from Karen Hospital, impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of betrayal, oppression, and persecuting him for standing by his principles. Gachagua, who was ousted from office, painted a picture of personal betrayal, saying that the President, whom he had trusted as a fellow Christian, had gone back on their verbal accord made before the 2022 elections.

The former Deputy President claimed that, unlike other key figures in the Kenya Kwanza Alliance, such as Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, and Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, he did not secure a formal pre-election agreement with Ruto. Instead, he said, he placed his faith in their personal bond and religious connection.

"I trusted President William Ruto. The people of the Mt. Kenya region trusted him. As we were preparing to go into office, nobody else trusted him. I am the only man who trusted him verbally because we are Christians. We used to go to church together, and I believed that my fellow Christian would never betray me or my people," Gachagua lamented.

He argued that his decision to forego a formal pact in favor of trust has come back to haunt him, resulting in what he describes as a year-long ordeal of mistreatment and persecution. According to Gachagua, the challenges he has faced in the past year culminated in his impeachment, which he views as part of a broader plot against him by the President and his inner circle.

A Year of Persecution and Stress

Gachagua’s address was filled with a sense of frustration and disappointment. He described his past year in office as "very difficult" and suggested that the impeachment was the climax of a prolonged period of persecution. He emphasized his resilience during this time, noting that he had persevered through stress and harassment, but the strain had taken its toll on him.

"For the last one year, it has been very difficult. But I am a very persevering man, very enduring. What happened on Thursday was a culmination of continuous persecution and stress for a year," he said, referencing his impeachment as the final blow in a series of challenges he had faced since taking office.

Gachagua also revealed disturbing details about his hospital stay at Karen Hospital, where he was admitted after falling ill last week. He claimed that individuals close to the President were making inquiries about his health, with some allegedly celebrating the possibility of his demise. "I hear many of his people were calling here [the hospital], asking whether I am dead, whether I survived, whether I will recover. They were celebrating," Gachagua stated, highlighting the level of hostility he feels he has faced from those in Ruto’s circle.

Comparing His Struggles to Kenneth Matiba’s Ordeal

In a striking parallel, Gachagua likened his current situation to that of the late Kenneth Matiba, a prominent political figure who suffered greatly under the regime of President Daniel arap Moi. Matiba, who was a key opposition leader, was detained by Moi’s government and suffered a stroke while in custody, which ultimately led to his declining health and premature death.

"When I look at it, probably it is history repeating itself. President William Ruto wanted to take me the route President Moi took Matiba. He pushed Matiba to getting a stroke and dying. When I look at what the President is doing to me, especially now when I am in hospital, crippling me, treating me like an animal... I think he wanted to take me the Matiba route," Gachagua claimed.

This comparison to Matiba’s ordeal paints a dire picture of Gachagua's current situation, framing his political struggles as not only a betrayal of trust but also a deliberate effort to break him physically and mentally. By drawing on Matiba’s tragic legacy, Gachagua sought to illustrate the gravity of his allegations and to cast himself as a victim of political persecution.

Speaking Truth to Power

Gachagua insisted that his persecution stems from his decision to "speak the truth to power." He cited several instances where his positions on key issues had put him at odds with the President. One such instance was his opposition to the presidential order to evict people from riparian land in Nairobi. Gachagua had been vocal about the need to protect residents from what he viewed as unjust evictions, a stance that reportedly displeased the President and his administration.

Additionally, Gachagua pointed to his resistance against the controversial lease of the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) to the Indian-owned Adani Company. The lease deal had drawn widespread criticism, with opponents arguing that it would give foreign entities control over a critical piece of Kenya's national infrastructure. Gachagua’s vocal opposition to the lease, which he framed as an effort to protect Kenya’s sovereignty, placed him in direct conflict with the President’s agenda.

"I am being persecuted for standing up for what I believe is right. I opposed the eviction of people from their homes in Nairobi, and I opposed the lease of JKIA to a foreign company. For speaking the truth, I am being punished," Gachagua asserted, framing his opposition as a moral stand rather than a political maneuver.

A Deepening Rift in Kenya Kwanza

Gachagua's comments provide further evidence of a deepening rift within the Kenya Kwanza coalition. His allegations of betrayal and persecution by President Ruto suggest that the unity within the alliance is unraveling, with key figures like Gachagua now openly questioning the President’s leadership. His decision to publicly air these grievances also signals that any attempts to resolve the internal conflict behind closed doors have failed, and the divisions are now out in the open.

This discord within Kenya Kwanza comes at a critical time, with Ruto’s administration facing growing public dissatisfaction over rising living costs and controversial policies like the Finance Bill 2024. Gachagua’s removal from office and his subsequent revelations could further weaken the administration's public standing and raise questions about the stability of the ruling coalition.

Looking Ahead

Despite his impeachment, Gachagua appears determined to continue his political journey, though it remains unclear what his next move will be. He has hinted at maintaining his fight against what he perceives as corruption and mismanagement within the government, positioning himself as a champion of truth and justice in the face of adversity.

As for his relationship with President Ruto, the former Deputy President made it clear that the bond they once shared has been irreparably damaged. "I believed my fellow Christian would never betray me or my people," Gachagua lamented, underscoring the deep personal disappointment he feels in the wake of his ousting.

Whether Gachagua’s allegations will resonate with the public or lead to further political consequences remains to be seen, but his comments have certainly added fuel to the growing fire of discontent within Kenya's political landscape.