Former Deputy President Riagthi Gachagua has slammed President William Ruto, accusing him of steadily taking the steps of a few African dictators in power after an encounter with teargas at the Nairobi Central Business District.

In a statement on his official X account on Monday, February 16, 2026, Gachagua accused Ruto of spearheading the teargas experience by the United Opposition leaders.

“Teargas, Bullets, and all weapons that exist cannot extinguish the will of the people of Kenya. A government scared of its people has no legitimacy; Mr William Ruto, you have chosen a path travelled by a few African dictators, and you know what befell them when their time came,” Gachagua stated.

On his part, Gachagua accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using live ammunition on peaceful citizens in Nairobi’s CBD, demanding their rights.

“Using live ammunition on peaceful citizens in Nairobi’s CBD demanding for their rights is cowardly and a dangerous path to anarchy.We shall not be cowed!,” he added.

Kalonzo’s remarks

This comes as Wiper Patriotic Front Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has come out lashing at the police officers after teargas were fired into a crowd he was set to address alongside the United Opposition leaders.

In a statement on his official X account on Monday 16,2026, Kalonzo explained that the incident happened shortly after a meeting with the Kenya Police Service Inspector General.

“Barely moments after leaving the office of the Kenya Police Service Inspector General, where we had gone peacefully, lawfully, and in good faith to demand accountability, we were once again met with teargas and brute force. Our only intention was to walk to Tea Room Nairobi and address Kenyans in a calm, peaceful gathering,” Kalonzo said.

“There was no provocation. There was no violence. There were only citizens and their leaders exercising their constitutional right to assemble and to speak.
Yet once again, the response of the State was force,” Kalonzo stated.

According to Kalonzo, canisters of teargas were fired into a crowd of innocent Kenyans who were left choking, running, and scattering, not because they had broken any law, but because they had shown up to listen to the United Opposition leaders.

“Let me be clear: we will not retreat. We will not be silenced. We will not surrender our constitutional freedoms. The demand for accountability will only grow louder, stronger, and more united,” Kalonzo added.