Gachagua under pressure as Ruto camp mounts fresh counterattack

Members of Parliament allied to President William Ruto have launched a fierce political counterattack against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of relying on political gossip and unsubstantiated allegations to undermine the government.

The MPs, drawn from the broad-based government, responded to remarks made by the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader in an address assessing Ruto’s four years in office.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who led the response, challenged Gachagua to substantiate his claims on security, corruption, governance and other matters instead of making allegations in public forums.

“A former DP knows the difference between evidence, hearsay and political gossip. What he is engaging in today is gossip,” Ichung’wah said.

Ruto Allies Turn Up Heat on Former Deputy President

The MPs accused Gachagua of using serious allegations to create anxiety among Kenyans and weaken confidence in state institutions.

They said claims involving alleged assassinations, tax evasion, murder and other wrongdoing should be submitted to the relevant authorities for investigation instead of being presented as political accusations.

Ichung’wah also turned the spotlight on Gachagua’s own record during the two years he served as Deputy President, arguing that the former deputy president should explain what he achieved while in government.

“I was with him..he knows this, and I have consistently challenged him to come clear about it,” Ichung’wah said.

The Majority Leader further challenged Gachagua to explain what lasting policies he left behind during his time in office and what his political agenda was beyond criticism of the current administration.

“The question should be what Gachagua did in the two years he was in office. What lasting policy did he leave behind? What was his greatest idea for Kenyans? What is his idea today?” Ichung’wah asked.

The Ruto allies also rejected the suggestion that Gachagua’s removal from office should continue to define political debate, saying Parliament had sanctioned his impeachment.

They accused him of holding a grudge against President Ruto while attempting to rebuild his political influence ahead of the 2027 General Election.

MPs Defend Ruto Record, Clash Over Raila Remarks

Ichung’wah used the occasion to defend the government’s record, pointing to changes in agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare financing and youth support programmes.

He cited subsidised fertiliser and a reduction in the price of maize flour as examples of measures he said had eased pressure on households. He also pointed to the new health financing system, arguing that it was helping ordinary Kenyans settle medical bills.

“A new financial architecture for health insurance is sorting bills for villagers, including those in his Wamunyoro backyard,” he said.

The Majority Leader also highlighted the Nyota Fund, saying it was providing opportunities for young people who had previously been exposed to predatory lenders.

He said the government was also seeking new ways of financing major infrastructure projects to reduce pressure on taxpayers.

“We have changed the conversation in infrastructure financing so that every road or dam doesn’t become another burden for Kenyans as the National Infrastructure Fund is building a new architecture,” Ichung’wah said.

He cited the High Grand Falls and Badasa dams as examples of projects that were conceptualised before the Ruto administration but would be completed under the current government.

The MPs also took issue with Gachagua’s remarks concerning former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, accusing him of attempting to gain political mileage from the death of the veteran opposition leader.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed questioned Gachagua’s relationship with the Odinga family, noting that the former Deputy President did not attend Raila’s burial.

“He did not even attend Raila’s burial when every leader did. He has not even seen it worth to visit the Odinga family even privately to condole with them,” Junet said.

Junet further rejected Gachagua’s comments on the political relationship between the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and Ruto, insisting that the former deputy president had no role in determining the future of the party.

He dismissed claims that ODM was dead and said the party remained an important force in Kenyan politics.

“When he said ODM is dead, we wonder what he knows about ODM. When ODM was on the streets, he oversaw the polce brutaliy that left our supporters maimed. Shame has no name but if it is to be given a name it has to be Rigathi Gachagua,” Junet said.

The broad-based government allies also defended the administration’s handling of the economy and fuel supply, arguing that Gachagua’s criticism failed to acknowledge changes made since Ruto took office in 2022.

They pointed to the government-to-government fuel importation arrangement, saying it had helped maintain steady supplies and reduce uncertainty in the petroleum market.

The political exchange adds another layer to the growing contest ahead of the 2027 elections, with Gachagua positioning himself as a vocal critic of the Ruto administration while government allies seek to defend its record.

The MPs maintained that Kenyans would ultimately judge the administration based on its record and challenged Gachagua to take his allegations to the appropriate institutions if he had evidence to support them.