‘Order Kindiki, Duale to stop responding to Gachagua’ – Havi advises Ruto

Former Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President Nelson Havi has weighed in on the ongoing political battle between President William Ruto’s administration and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In a statement on January 30, 2025, Havi urged Ruto to instruct Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Environment and Climate Change Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale to refrain from engaging in public exchanges with Gachagua.
Havi warned that they risk losing the “publicity and propaganda war” to him.
“President William Ruto, please listen and listen to me carefully. Plead with or order your appointees, in particular Kindiki Kithure and Aden Duale, to stop responding to Rigathi Gachagua. They will lose the publicity and propaganda war to him,” Havi said in a statement posted on his X account.
President William Ruto, please listen and listen to me carefully. Plead with or order your appointees in particular Kindiki Kithure and Aden Duale to stop responding to Rigathi Gachagua. They will lose the publicity and propaganda war to him.
— Nelson Havi (@NelsonHavi) January 30, 2025
Increased tensions
Havi’s remarks come amid increasing friction between Kenya Kwanza and Gachagua, who has been vocal in his criticism of the government, particularly on issues affecting the Mt. Kenya region.
Recently, he vowed to ensure Ruto served for only one term, citing concerns over governance, corruption, and dictatorship.
In response, Kindiki dismissed Gachagua’s remarks, arguing that the president is focused on delivering for Kenyans.
Speaking on January 29, 2025, Kindiki criticized Gachagua for making unseating Ruto his primary agenda, calling it a misplaced priority.

“There was someone in office today; he is not here now, yet he’s giving us ultimatums from funerals about how he will make Ruto a one-term president, as if that’s an achievement. Ruto’s goal is not to serve two terms but to utilize the time God grants him in office to implement transformative programs and then step aside so others can lead Kenya forward. So, don’t come here threatening us with your one-term agenda,” Kindiki said.
During a consultative meeting with Tharaka Nithi leaders at his Karen residence on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, Kindiki accused Gachagua of inciting the people, particularly those from the Mt. Kenya region, against the president, labelling his tactics as dangerous politics.
Kindiki warned that Gachagua’s reliance on incitement as a political tool would backfire, making his 2027 ambitions even more challenging.
Gachagua’s counterattack
Since his removal from office, Gachagua has accused Ruto of dishonesty regarding their fallout.
He claims their differences stemmed from corruption within the administration.

“I want to tell the president, stop lying to Kenyans, tell the truth, we disagreed over corruption because you and your people are spreading corruption,” he asserted.
The ousted UDA deputy leader further accused Ruto of running a dictatorship and sidelining his Cabinet secretaries.
“The government he leads is a one-man show; he wants his way, and all those ministers are just flower girls. I was the only one who could stand up to him and say, ‘Boss, this can’t work,’” he added.