Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of losing political influence and desperately clinging to Raila Odinga to salvage his dwindling influence.

Speaking in Machakos County during a church service at the Gospel Confirmation Centre (GCC) on Sunday, March 2, 2025, Gachagua did not hold back in his criticism, asserting that Ruto had become a political minority and was now entirely dependent on Raila for survival.

“I have taken away everyone who was once in his camp. Now, he stands alone, reduced to a mere shadow of his former self.,” Gachagua declared.

According to Gachagua, Ruto had once believed that he could discard his allies and still command unwavering loyalty from Mount Kenya voters, a miscalculation that, he argued, has now left the President politically isolated.

The former deputy president claimed that since his own fallout with Ruto, the Head of State has been left with no formidable base of support, forcing him to seek refuge in Raila’s political shadow.

“Nimechukua kila mtu aliyekuwa kwake. Sasa yeye ni minority. Huyu Kalonzo unadharau, hawa Wakamba unadharau, watakuja kukupeleka nyumbani. Alikuwa pia mimi amenidharau akifikiri nitasahaulika. Sasa vile niliondoka, saa hii Raila Odinga akiambia Ruto amuoshe miguu, atamuosha. Because amekwama,” Gachagua asserted.

The former DP went on to argue that Ruto’s political fortunes had crumbled beyond repair, asserting that the president’s once-formidable influence in the Mount Kenya region has been significantly diminished.

He contended that should Ruto face off against a serious challenger in the next election, he would not even secure a second-place finish, let alone emerge victorious.

“Ni kama mgonjwa akiwa kwa ICU kwa life support machine. Life support machine yake ni Raila, ikizimwa, kwisha. Because yeye alituidharau akifikiria sisi ni watu wa kawaida. Sasa yeye ni minority. Hii uchaguzi sisi tukiweka candidate wetu na mwingine asimame, William Ruto atakuwa nambari nne ama nambari tatu akijaribu,” he declared, driving home his point that the President’s political fate was all but sealed.

Mt Kenya unity

Gachagua also used the occasion to push his agenda for Mount Kenya unity, insisting that the region must stand together if it hopes to remain politically dominant for the next century.

He painted a vision of an unshakable political force, one that could dictate the outcome of national elections for generations if only its leaders remained united.

He argued that Ruto’s administration had deliberately sidelined the Mount Kenya region, claiming that the community had been used for votes and subsequently discarded.

“Politics is a game of mathematics. Na hesabu ya siasa ni ya addition. Na ndiyo maana umeona Rais amekwama. Hii siasa ni hesabui. Sisi na nyinyi tunataka tukuwe Mt Kenya moja. Let’s unite and we join other Kenyans as one. Once tumeunganisha, tuko na marafiki wengi sana hapo. 2027 we and you, we shall win this election round one. And there will be no run-off,” Gachagua rallied.

In a direct appeal to the Kamba community, he urged them to align with Mount Kenya, arguing that together they could form an unassailable political alliance that would shape Kenya’s leadership for the foreseeable future.

He assured them that the coming elections would not see them left out in the cold as had happened in previous political cycles.

“You Kamba people are our cousins. Sisi pale tulikuwa na William Ruto, ametufukuza. Nyinyi pale mlikuwa na Raila. Hii GEMA—Gikuyu, Embu, Meru—and Akamba, hii ndiyo dawa ya Kenya. And I want to assure you, the Akamba people, this time round tutaunda serikali pamoja. And there is no going backwards,” he proclaimed, positioning his vision as the political antidote Kenya desperately needs.

As he wrapped up his speech, Gachagua took one final jab at Ruto, alleging that the President had resorted to desperate attempts to buy back political loyalty. He claimed that the government was siphoning off billions to bribe individuals in a futile bid to regain lost influence.

“Unajua William Ruto alikuwa anafikiria ni mjanja sana. Ati alikuwa anafikiria atanifukuza abaki na watu wangu. Si mimi nilikuwa nimechaguliwa? Aliponifukuza, nikatoka, ni kila mtu. Sasa pale hata akituma rambirambi kanisani, anaambiwa hapana. Rambirambi zinakataliwa,” he remarked.