President William Ruto has for the first time openly detailed the reasons behind the impeachment of his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, exposing shocking demands for billions and persistent political blackmail. Speaking from Sagana State Lodge, Ruto revealed that Gachagua had repeatedly attempted to extort Ksh10 billion from him under the guise of resolving issues in Mt. Kenya, while simultaneously threatening his political future.
“He asked me for Ksh10 billion to ‘fix’ Mt. Kenya politics and warned me that I would be a one-term president if I refused. I stood my ground, and that’s when the friction intensified. All along, I had shielded him from impeachment attempts, but eventually, I had to let him go,” Ruto disclosed.
The former DP, who was impeached in October 2024, faced mounting accusations of abuse of office, tribalism, and political intimidation. Multiple MPs had attempted to oust him, citing his divisive leadership and relentless infighting, but Ruto had previously intervened. However, after numerous clashes and his outrageous financial demands, the president opted to step back, allowing the impeachment process to proceed.
Tensions in Mt. Kenya and Political Fallout
Gachagua’s removal has ignited political unrest in Mt. Kenya, a region that played a key role in electing Ruto in 2022. Now positioning himself as the region’s opposition leader, Gachagua has intensified his attacks on Ruto, accusing him of neglecting Central Kenya’s development and taking undue credit for projects initiated under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Despite Gachagua’s claims, Ruto defended his track record, highlighting major infrastructure projects in the region. “Some leaders claim I have done nothing, yet I was the one who initiated the road from Marua to Wamunyoro—ironically, the same place where my biggest critic resides,” he said, indirectly hitting back at Gachagua.
The political turbulence has also affected Ruto’s standing in the region, with some residents expressing dissatisfaction. The appointment of Kithure Kindiki as Gachagua’s replacement has yet to fully appease the electorate, as Kindiki hails from Tharaka Nithi, a county considered politically less influential within Mt. Kenya.
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Justin Muturi’s Sacking and Rising Political Heat
In the same interview, Ruto also addressed the dismissal of Justin Muturi, the former Attorney General, whom he accused of incompetence. “He failed in his role, and every department can confirm that. When I moved him to the Cabinet, he skipped crucial meetings,” Ruto remarked. Muturi had recently clashed with the government over the abduction of youths, including his own son, allegedly by state security agencies.
Ruto’s five-day tour of Central Kenya comes amid rising political temperatures, with analysts noting that the fallout with Gachagua has weakened his grip on the region. However, the president remains defiant, stating that his relationship with Mt. Kenya is based on decades of interaction and development initiatives, not political convenience.
Despite the political tensions, Ruto’s tour is set to focus on launching and inspecting major projects in infrastructure, housing, water, electricity, and industrial development. Among the key initiatives is the construction of modern fresh produce markets aimed at supporting small-scale traders.
Ruto will be visiting Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Kiambu counties to commission completed projects, inspect ongoing developments, and announce new initiatives.
