Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua enjoys more popularity than President William Ruto and his Deputy Kithure Kindiki.

Speaking during a televised interview on Wednesday, February 26, 2025, Nyutu argued that Gachagua’s influence remains strong, despite his impeachment, and that his support base surpasses that of the country’s top leaders.

Nyutu pointed to Gachagua’s frequent public engagements, particularly in his home region, as proof of his dominance in Mount Kenya politics. He insisted that the former DP’s gatherings attract large crowds and that his political strength cannot be ignored. The senator challenged those doubting Gachagua’s influence to compare attendance at his events with those of President Ruto and DP Kindiki.

“Raila’s following cannot match Rigathi Gachagua’s. Yesterday, Raila took a lesson from Gachagua. Gachagua has been consulting in Wamunyoro. Raila Odinga yesterday took the lesson from Gachagua. He started doing consultations in Nyanza just the way Gachagua does with his people. He started in Nyanza where he comes from in order for him to decide whether to join Ruto or not,” he noted.

Raila’s manuscript

The senator also claimed that opposition leader Raila Odinga is now adopting Gachagua’s political strategy. He linked Raila’s recent visit to Nyanza to Gachagua’s grassroots engagements, suggesting that the ODM leader is following in the former DP’s footsteps as he strategizes on his next political move after his unsuccessful bid to become the next Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC).

“This is a man you cannot dismiss as a joker. This is a man Raila is learning from and copying. Check every Sunday the functions that Gachagua attends, check the following he gets, and compare with the man you are supporting President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki. The numbers do not lie. Rigathi Gachagua is not a man you can simply dismiss as a joker. He is not looking for relevance. He already has it,” Nyutu added.

According to Nyutu, Gachagua is not merely seeking relevance but is already a formidable political figure. He dismissed any attempts to downplay the former DP’s standing, asserting that his popularity speaks for itself.

People’s DP

Following his impeachment in October 2024, former Gachagua has experienced a surge in public support, earning him the moniker “People’s Deputy President.”

Despite being removed from office on charges including corruption and undermining President William Ruto’s authority, Gachagua has remained active in the political arena. He has openly criticized President Ruto and his flagship programs, such as the affordable housing initiative. Gachagua contends that these projects are fraught with corruption and lack transparency, describing the housing program as the worst fraud against the people of Kenya.

The tension between the two leaders has escalated into public disputes, with Ruto labelling Gachagua as incompetent and corrupt. In response, Gachagua has accused the president of dishonesty and hypocrisy, particularly criticizing Ruto’s calls for national moral values while asserting that his actions contradict such principles.