Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sharply criticised President William Ruto over the recent disruption of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) political event held in Kakamega.

Speaking after a church service at AIPCA Kihoya in Murang’a County on Sunday, May 25, 2025, Gachagua blamed Ruto for the disruption, stating that police officers violently dispersed thousands of DCP supporters who had gathered for the rally.

In addition, the second deputy president claimed the move was intended to portray DCP as a tribal party, a label he strongly rejects.

“Unajua huyu rais alikuwa anasema sisi ni chama cha ukabila; sasa nimetuma vijana wangu kina John Methu, Karungo wa Thang’wa, Cate Waruguru, pale Kakamega, ilishona maelfu ya watu wa DCP, Rais akatuma maaskari akasema hii watu wapigwe wafurushwe ndio hii chama iyonekane ya ukabila,”Gachagua said.

Loosely translates as: “You know, this president once said we are a tribal party. But when I sent my team, John Methu, Karungo wa Thang’wa, and Cate Waruguru, to Kakamega, thousands of people came out for DCP. Then the president sent officers to beat and chase away our people, just to make it seem like this is a tribal party.”

DCP’s popularity

Gachagua warned Ruto that the DCP party has a nationwide presence and would be the one to send him home early in the next election.

“Rais nataka kukupatia habari; kama hauna habari hii chama iko kila pahali ya Kenya na ndio itapelaka wewe nyumbani asubuhi na mapema,” he stated.

Loosely translates as: “President, I want to give you some information in case you do not know: this party is everywhere in Kenya, and it is the one that will send you home early in the morning.”

In a rare apology, Gachagua also expressed regret for supporting the president in the recent elections, saying he will take responsibility and work on correcting the mistakes.

“I apologise once more to the community because I persuaded you to elect William Ruto; makosa ni yangu, lakini mimi mwenyewe pia nitaongoza kwa kurekebisha,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua on Uhuru-Ruto

Drawing a comparison, Gachagua noted that even during Ruto’s fallout with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenyatta never restricted his movements or sent goons after him.

“Nahata wewe Rais, hata ile siku mlikosana na Uhuru Kenyatta, hakukukataza kutembea, hakukutumia wahani,” he pointed out.

Loosely translates as: “Even you, President Ruto, even on the day you fell out with Uhuru Kenyatta, he never stopped you from moving around, and he never sent thugs after you.”

Teargas

Gachagua’s statement comes after police disrupted the homecoming event for DCP’s deputy party leader Cleophas Malala in Kakamega County on Saturday, May 24, 2025.

The rally began calmly, with crowds gathered in the town’s Central Business District dressed in party colours, anticipating speeches from DCP-affiliated politicians. However, tension quickly escalated after Malala and Senator John Methu stood atop a vehicle to address the crowd.

Police officers responded by firing tear gas, dispersing the crowd in panic as white smoke engulfed the area. The crowd, which had been chanting party slogans and anti-government messages, scattered in all directions.

The former senator was also scheduled to host his party leader, Gachagua, in the region as part of the party’s popularisation initiative across the nation following its unveiling on Thursday, May 15, 2025.