Gachagua: Ruto has failed, messed the country
By Faith Lagat, August 10, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has escalated his attacks on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of catastrophic governance failures, economic mismanagement, and appointing individuals with alleged links to drug trafficking to senior government positions.
Speaking at Holy Names University in San Francisco, California, on August 10, 2025, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said the country had suffered deep political, social, and economic setbacks under Ruto’s leadership.
Economic collapse
Gachagua claimed that the administration’s policies had crippled the economy, strained regional ties, and eroded public trust.
“William Ruto has failed to perform; he has messed up the country and the economy, and he has messed up our relationship with neighbouring countries,” he charged.
He added that Kenyans had the constitutional right to demand leadership change at the end of Ruto’s term. “Serve your five years and move on. We intend to get another government to enter a new five-year contract with others. That is the decision of the people of Kenya, period!” he said.
Claims on cabinet appointments
The former deputy president alleged that two cabinet members were “known drug barons”, claiming they had trafficked and supplied narcotics to Kenyans. “It is so sad that Kenya is the only country in the world where we have two drug barons sitting in the cabinet today,” he said.
Gachagua tied his stance on drug abuse to personal loss, revealing that he had lost a brother to alcoholism. He pledged that if his party assumed power, it would implement strong rehabilitation policies and targeted anti-drug initiatives.
He accused Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen of undermining efforts to curb illicit brews, arguing that his own tenure achieved significant progress in eliminating dangerous alcohol and promoting legal, tax-compliant sales. He alleged that the current administration reversed these gains, with a principal secretary reopening closed illicit distilleries.
Criticism of advisors
On August 2 in Richardson, Dallas, Gachagua criticised the qualifications of Ruto’s advisors, claiming one had studied only up to Standard Three and another to Standard Six. “That’s why the economy is on its knees,” he remarked.
He also distanced Ruto’s failures from the Kalenjin community, pointing to the “dignified legacy” of former President Daniel arap Moi and criticising Ruto’s inaction on recent Kipsigis deaths in Narok.
Addressing Kenyans in the diaspora, Gachagua urged them to remain vocal on governance matters, highlighting their economic contributions through remittances. “Your voice matters. Don’t allow anyone to speak down to you because you are abroad,” he said, calling for a political and moral reset to steer the country in a new direction.