In a bombshell interview on KTN, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua pulled no punches, offering a scathing critique of the leadership style of President William Ruto.
Gachagua, who served as Ruto’s deputy before their split, provided insight into the inner workings of the current administration, painting a picture of a government where Ruto, according to him, is the ultimate decision-maker, sidelining public interest in favor of his own commercial ambitions.
Gachagua also accused his former boss—whom he labelled the “high priest” of corruption and “chief procurement officer”—of coercing State officials.
“The truth is, Ruto is micromanaging everything,” Gachagua said. “Everything. He’s involved in procurement decisions, making calls on everything from government contracts to small tenders. He has an iron grip on every aspect of governance, and public servants have absolutely no say in anything.”
This harsh criticism of Ruto’s administration is in stark contrast to the image of a reformist president that Ruto has worked to project. Gachagua’s revelations expose a pattern of centralized control where decisions are made by a select few, with the broader public service being excluded from key processes. The former Deputy President accused Ruto of pushing aside the civil service, claiming that only his closest allies and cronies have any real influence in decision-making.
“I’ve seen it firsthand,” Gachagua continued. “If you’re not in his circle, you have no say. The people who matter are those who have the money and the power, and if you stand up to them, you’re branded incompetent or worse, you’re isolated and blackmailed.”
Yesterday, Gachagua stated that corrupt deals were the reason Ruto fell out with his first Attorney General.
“The Health bills were part of his first point of departure with Justin Muturi when he refused to approve four bills during his tenure as Attorney General. His business interests (Ruto’s) were about KSh104 billion, which was meant for the agency’s system. The NHIF had indicated that it would use KSh800 million only for the upgrade, but Ruto was opposed to the plan,” he said.
Gachagua also refuted claims that he demanded KSh10 billion from President Ruto, dismissing the allegation as a desperate attempt to justify his impeachment to the Mt Kenya region.
“Ruto has on many occasions taken responsibility for my removal from office, and this was seconded by National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Sholei when she admitted that she followed Ruto’s directions during my impeachment motion,” Gachagua asserted.
He described Ruto’s KSh10 billion claim as “old-fashioned smear tactics” that he said the president had used on others he had fallen out with, including former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
“When he differed with Uhuru, he presented him as a drunkard, incompetent, and a leader unable to govern the country, making people believe that it was he who was at the steering wheel. He is now waging a propaganda campaign against me in a futile attempt to incite people against me,” Gachagua said.
Such bold assertions reflect a government that, according to Gachagua, is more focused on consolidating wealth and power than on serving the interests of the Kenyan people. Throughout the interview, he painted a picture of an administration that prioritizes personal and commercial interests, rather than the well-being of the citizenry.
“It’s all about money,” Gachagua emphasized. “Ruto has this belief that money can solve every problem. He’s become a ‘use-and-dump’ operator. Once he’s done with you, he discards you. He believes that financial influence can bend anyone to his will.”
The most damning charge Gachagua levied was the idea that public interests have taken a back seat to Ruto’s personal interests. While the President has often positioned himself as the champion of the people, especially in his fight against corruption and his push for economic reforms, Gachagua’s comments suggest a different reality.
“There’s no public interest anymore,” he said, with visible frustration. “What matters now is whether you can bring in money for the President or if you’re aligned with his business interests. If you’re not part of that, then you’re irrelevant in this administration.”
As one of the most powerful figures in the government before his ouster,Gachagua’s comments carry significant weight, and his insight into the decision-making process under Ruto provides a rare glimpse into the tensions within the ruling party.
According to Gachagua, many of the decisions made by the President and his allies are driven not by governance principles but by the need to maximize financial gain. He insinuated that this has led to a deeply entrenched culture of cronyism within the administration, where merit and public service are secondary to financial influence.
“When I was in government, I was expected to make decisions based on the needs of the people,” Gachagua said. “But now, everything is about aligning with the right people, the people with money and resources. It’s not about what the country needs, it’s about what serves the interests of a few people at the top.”
While Gachagua did not mention any specific individuals by name, his comments about corruption, cronyism, and lack of transparency paint a vivid picture of a government that may be drifting away from its original promises of serving the people. Ruto’s inner circle, according to Gachagua, has grown ever smaller and more insular, focused only on consolidating financial and political power.
“Public servants are powerless,” Gachagua said, his voice filled with emotion. “They don’t get a say in the most important decisions. If you’re not part of Ruto’s circle, you’re just a pawn in a bigger game. And those who dare to speak up are branded as incompetent, isolated, and threatened. That’s the kind of environment we have now.”
Gachagua’s revelations about the way decisions are made within the administration are striking because they directly contradict Ruto’s public persona as a champion of meritocracy and anti-corruption. Throughout the interview, Gachagua repeatedly suggested that the President’s vision for the country is clouded by personal ambition and a deep desire to maintain control through financial leverage.
“It’s a leadership that is based on control, money, and intimidation,” Gachagua concluded. “It’s not about the people; it’s about those in charge.”
However, Gachagua’s criticisms of Ruto’s government are not just limited to the issue of governance. He also reflected on the personal dynamics that led to their falling out, alluding to a relationship that had become increasingly strained as the President’s thirst for power grew.
“I’ve been loyal to Ruto for years,” Gachagua admitted. “But at some point, I realized that he wasn’t interested in building a stronger, more united Kenya. He’s too focused on his own success, his own legacy, and his own wealth.”
For Gachagua, the turning point in his relationship with Ruto came when he began to see a pattern of manipulation and control. The final straw, according to the former Deputy President, was Ruto’s treatment of his allies. Those who had been loyal to him were, in Gachagua’s words, discarded and left behind once they no longer served a useful purpose.
“He has this belief that once someone is no longer useful to him, they’re disposable,” Gachagua said. “And once you’re out of his good books, there’s no way back.”
The tension between the two men has now been laid bare for the public to see. Gachagua’s comments have ignited a firestorm of speculation, with many wondering if this interview marks the beginning of a deeper rift within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
As Gachagua took aim at Ruto’s micromanaging leadership, he left no question about where his loyalty lies. With the current political climate as volatile as it is, this interview is likely to become a defining moment in Kenya’s political history.
The long-term implications of Gachagua’s revelations are still uncertain, but one thing is clear: Rigathi Gachagua has cast a shadow over the current administration, and Ruto’s grip on power may be more fragile than he would like to admit.
