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Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has once again launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of micromanaging political affairs and scripting speeches for political leaders.

Gachagua, who was impeached late last year, made the claims on Sunday, January 19, 2025, during a church service at PCEA Emmanuel Matanya, Waguthiru Parish, in Laikipia County.

Speaking to the congregants, Gachagua claimed that while he served as Ruto’s deputy, the president often dictated what he should say publicly, including controversial shareholder government remarks.

According to Gachagua, Ruto’s instructions caused him to make statements that alienated him from the Kenyan public. He recounted being directed to criticize opposition leader Raila Odinga during their earlier disputes, only to later witness Ruto reconciling with Raila.

“Ukiona wabunge wakiongea, Ruto ndio amewatuma. Si mimi nilikwa na yeye, alikuwa aniandikia sema ii. Nikasema siku tatu nikaona huyu mtu anataka kunikosanisha na Wakenya. Si mliona siku za kwanza vile nilikuwa nasema. Hii maneno ya shareholding ni yeye alikuwa ameniambia niambie wakenya hii serikali ni ya shares,” Gachagua stated.

Loosely translated as;

“When you see MPs speaking, it’s Ruto who has sent them. It’s not me. I was with him, and he used to write for me what to say. I said it for three days and realized this person wanted to make me fall out with Kenyans. Didn’t you see how I used to speak in the early days? This issue of shareholding, he’s the one who told me to tell Kenyans that this government is about shares.”

Set up

He expressed frustration with Ruto’s duplicity, revealing that some of the most contentious remarks he made such as opposing Raila Odinga’s entry to State House or referring to the government as being managed like a shareholder country were dictated by the head of state.

“Raisi ndio aliniambia. Siku ingine ameenda akasema huyo anasema shares, he is primitive and introgressive. Na yeye ndo alikuwa ameniambia sema hii,” Gachagua claimed.

Loosely translated as;

“The President is the one who told me. Another day, he went and said that the one talking about shares is primitive and retrogressive. Yet he is the one who had told me to say that.”

Gachagua further claimed that MPs loyal to Ruto were still receiving scripted messages from the president. He cited a recent instance in which an MP from Western discussed isolating Mount Kenya, sparking uproar. Gachagua claimed this was part of Ruto’s larger plan to divide the Mount Kenya region.

“Hao wabunge wote unaona wakiongea, yeye ndo anawaandikia. When that MP from Western said that Mt Kenya will be isolated, that is Ruto speaking. That is his plan,” Gachagua charged.

Loosely translated as;

“All those MPs you see speaking, it is him (Ruto) who writes for them. When that MP from Western said that Mt. Kenya will be isolated, that is Ruto speaking. That is his plan.”


The former Deputy President vowed to oppose any attempts to sow division among Kenyans, invoking divine intervention to resist what he termed as Ruto’s schemes.

“Kwa jina la Yesu, ashindwe. It will not happen. I want to promise you Ruto, you will not isolate Kenyans, you will not succeed in dividing Mt Kenya East and West,” he declared.

Loosely translated to;

“In the name of Jesus, be defeated. It will not happen. I want to promise you, Ruto, you will not isolate Kenyans, and you will not succeed in dividing Mount Kenya East and West.”

Shareholder remarks

When Gachagua made his controversial “shareholder remarks,” he emphasized that supporters of the Kenya Kwanza government would receive substantial rewards, while opposition members would receive minimal consideration.

He asserted that government appointments and contracts were reserved for those who backed the Kenya Kwanza administration, a statement that sparked concerns among Kenyans, who criticized it as divisive.

Gachagua later clarified his comments, explaining that he had used figurative language to make his point. However, he reiterated that President Ruto would not include individuals in his government who did not support his leadership or vision.

“When it comes to forming a government, there is no president anywhere in the world who would invite people to his government who do not believe in him and his agenda. That is where the issue of shares came from,” he clarified at the time.