Gachagua: US should sanction Ruto personally, not Kenya
By Faith Lagat, August 10, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has ignited a political storm after urging the United States to impose targeted sanctions on President William Ruto instead of the country.
Speaking during a visit to the US on August 10, 2025, Gachagua claimed Kenya should not bear the brunt of punitive measures, insisting Ruto alone should be held accountable.
“Americans should not impose sanctions on Kenya because Kenya is innocent but apply sanctions to William Ruto as a person so that he can be brought to order,” Gachagua declared, in remarks that further amplified his criticism of the Head of State.
The comments come against the backdrop of fresh allegations by Gachagua that Ruto met Al Shabaab leaders during a trip to Mandera County. “We want to know why you are working with Al Shabaab. When you were in Mandera, you met three Al Shabaab leaders at night,” he alleged.
Govt hits back
The explosive claims sparked immediate pushback from senior government officials, who accused the former deputy president of endangering national security. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, speaking in Elgeyo-Marakwet County on August 9, dismissed Gachagua’s allegations and condemned what he described as reckless rhetoric.
“If their agenda is insults, let them continue with insults, but they should not use that space to compromise national security,” Kindiki said, noting Kenya’s long struggle against terrorism and crime.
Kindiki demanded that such accusations be backed with evidence. “They must help us investigate and protect Kenya. Otherwise, they should face legal action,” he stated.
Mandera Senator Ali Roba also dismissed Gachagua’s allegations as “shameful fabrication”, maintaining that the President only met recognised local leaders during his Mandera visit. He urged Washington to ignore the remarks, warning that they could undermine peace efforts in marginalised regions.
Defiant response
Unbowed by the backlash, Gachagua dismissed Kindiki’s threats. “I have seen that person called Soprano issuing a lot of threats every day… A tiger does not declare its tigritude; it pounces,” he said, quoting writer Wole Soyinka.
He vowed to keep speaking out against what he called poor governance. “Riggy G is beyond threats… We will speak for the people of Kenya until we get this regime out,” he declared.
Compensation plan
Gachagua also faulted Ruto’s proposal to compensate victims of police brutality, terming it hypocritical. “How do you kill people, and then you compensate them? First, stop the killings and rescind the shoot-to-kill order,” he said.
His stance aligned with the Democracy Action Party of Kenya, which on August 8 reiterated that “no amount of money can bring back the lives lost” and called for accountability over the payouts.
As the political confrontation deepens, Gachagua’s push for personal sanctions against the President threatens to heighten tensions, intertwining issues of governance, human rights, and national security.