Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dramatically altered his earlier position on the state of the country’s finances at the time of transition in 2022, stepping back from his previous rhetoric that the Kenya Kwanza administration inherited completely empty coffers.

Speaking during an interview with media personality Oga Obinna on the night of Friday, May 16, 2025, Gachagua asserted that while the government’s finances were indeed strained, there were still some funds in place to facilitate the smooth running of state affairs.

“To a certain extent, yes, we found empty coffers, but there was enough to get the country started. There was not a surplus or abundance, but there was enough money to get the country back on its feet,” Gachagua said.

This shift in tone marks a significant departure from his earlier remarks, including his memorable comments made during his inauguration in September 2022, when he declared that the country would take time before getting back on its feet, as they had found no money in the treasury.

Then, he even went a step further to remark that they found not even a “rat” in the accounts, emphasising just how barren they were, while also pointing out that the previous administration had left the country grappling with an inflated economy.

“We have talked to the Treasury, and the coffers are empty. We will have to start from scratch,” he said back then.

Limitations

Further adding to the intrigue, Gachagua elaborated on the limitations he faced when it came to managing the available funds, revealing that while resources were present, he was not in a position to direct their use.

He sharply responded to Obinna’s question, asking why he did not take charge of directing the funds he claimed to have found into initiatives that could have helped the country recover, instead claiming that President Ruto was a micromanager who had effectively restricted his involvement.

“I did not have power to direct this money because he used to micromanage everything,” Gachagua explained, referring to President Ruto’s tight grip on financial decision-making. “There was nothing much that we could do.”

Ruto’s photos

During the interview which Obinna held at his Wamunyoro home, Gachagua also defended why he still has photos of himself with President William Ruto in his house.

He said he had decided to keep the photos, despite having bitterly fallen out with the head of state leading to his impeachment.

“Those pictures of William Ruto are pictures taken in this house. William Ruto was a frequent visitor to this home. Pastor Dorcas has cooked for him many times as he sought my support. We took those pictures outside here the many times he kept on coming looking for my friendship, looking for my support and bonding so that I could support him to become the president,” Gachagua stated.

“The pictures have been there, and we had a discussion when he betrayed us by mobilising Members of Parliament (to impeach me). I made a decision to let them stay there because they are a constant reminder of betrayal. When I see William Ruto in that picture, I see a man who came here many times calling, eating in this house, staying here for long, asking me to call people for him to talk to.”

“When he betrayed me in such a vicious manner, I decided that his picture should stay there so that when I see him, I remember about betrayal.”

Gachagua also added that his fallout with Ruto has made him not to trust people easily, especially those seeking to work with him politically.

“When people come here, I look at them closely. I look for possible betrayers. I’m very careful. His picture there is a constant reminder for me to be careful. That picture will remain there forever, for the rest of my life,” he added.

He insisted that he was deceived into entering a political pact with Ruto without a formal agreement, following his (Ruto’s) convincing moves, including crying while asking for his support.

“I went into an arrangement with this guy without writing anything. I believed the guy because he would come here and pray for us; and there is a apastor in this house. The guy would even come here and cry,” Gachagua added.