Sossion explains why Gachagua is not ready to reconcile with Ruto
By Aloys Michael, April 9, 2026Former Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT) Secretary General Wilson Sossion has broken the silence over the potential reconciliation between President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, saying that the Democracy for the Citizens (DCP) party leader is not politically ready to mend fences.
Speaking in an interview on a local TV station on Thursday, April 9, 2026, Sossion criticised what he described as the King of the Mountain narrative surrounding Gachagua.
“Do you think anyone who wins this one can declare himself kingpin of the mountain? No, this thing of kingpins. It is against the advancement of democracy in our country, because this is a free country. People are free to associate and affiliate with any leader, regardless of origin,” Sossion said.
He warned that Gachagua’s posturing as a territorial monarch is counterproductive.
“This posturing that you want to look like Rigathi Gachagua is posturing as the King of the Mountain is a wrong narrative. It’s working against the aspirations of sanitising our politics as contending mission 2030,” Sossion added.
The comments come amid speculation by Githunguri Member of Parliament Gathoni Wamuchomba on X that a handshake between Ruto and Gachagua may be imminent.
Wamuchomba described Gachagua as a political genius warming up for reconciliation, even joking that she would personally facilitate the handshake.
“Rigathi Gachagua ni political genius, hesabu yake inaingiana. He’s warming up for a handshake with President Ruto na apate Billions zake aende N’gambo,” she wrote.
On her role, she added, “Lakini niliwaambia. Riggy G atanipata kitchen kwa Ruto, chai ya handshake ni Mimi nitamserve na ile smile.”
Possible handshake?
However, Sossion remains sceptical, citing Gachagua’s lingering bitterness and apparent unwillingness to reconcile.
“The posturing by Gachagua, it doesn’t look like he even wants to reconcile with anybody, and he’s still very bitter,” he said.
Sossion said that Gachagua had directed sharp criticism at the leader of the majority and young political leaders, suggesting that generational tensions may be complicating any reconciliation efforts.
Sossion emphasised that Kenyan politics is evolving with younger leaders taking centre stage, a shift encouraged by President Ruto himself.
“You see the brand of politics that we have in Kenya is that leadership is shifting to the younger generation, and that’s a good thing, stereotyping and trying to age out some young leaders within a certain region for purposes of your own political survival, I don’t think that is positive politics,” Sossion noted.
He praised the President for encouraging young leaders to advance without intimidation.
“The President aptly answered him and encouraged all the young leaders not to be intimidated, but to advance themselves. It’s something that we do in mentorship; we allow young leaders to take over.”
The tension comes in the wake of the requiem mass for the late MP David Njuguna on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, where both President Ruto and Gachagua addressed mourners.
Wamuchomba urged leaders to focus on development instead of political quarrels.
“Wacheni matusi kwa sasa, tuwekewe lami, na tupate share yetu ya development, wakisalimiana tuwe tumeomoka, angalao tusivae gumboots huku kwetu tena,” she wrote,
As Kenya gears up for continued political manoeuvring ahead of upcoming elections, the question remains whether Gachagua and Ruto can bridge their differences or whether generational and regional politics will continue to shape the narrative.