Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fiery broadside against President William Ruto, accusing him of orchestrating a campaign of lies, betrayal, and humiliation against former President Uhuru Kenyatta — and warning of an equal response should the attacks persist.
Speaking during a thanksgiving service at his Wamunyoro residence in Nyeri County on Sunday, May 4, 2025, Gachagua declared that the time had come for him to personally shield and defend Uhuru from further political assault.
He announced a complete shift in his stance, vowing never again to remain silent while Uhuru was subjected to public ridicule by individuals close to the Head of State.
“Starting today, I shall protect and stand by my brother Uhuru Kenyatta,” Gachagua said, addressing a packed gathering of citizens and political allies.
“President Ruto, you came to this mountain with a Bible in hand and fed us lies. You told us that Uhuru was a drunkard, that he was lazy, and that he was sabotaging his own administration. You did not just lie to me – you deceived all of us. Even the people in the church believed you.”
The former deputy president admitted that, at the time, he and many others in the Mt Kenya region were misled into turning against Kenyatta.
He added that they had only rebuked Uhuru because Ruto had cunningly convinced them he was unfit, expressing deep regret over the humiliation the fourth president endured at their hands.
“We rebuked our own son. We humiliated our own leader. We shamed him publicly because we trusted your words. Only to come to the painful realisation that you, William Ruto, are a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
In a scathing critique, Gachagua accused Ruto of damaging the integrity and legacy of the former president while cleverly manipulating the trust of the Mt Kenya people.
“You caused enough harm to Uhuru. You misled this entire community. You humiliated our son for your political gain.”
Rising in tone and visibly emotional, Gachagua went on to express deep resentment over continued attacks against Kenyatta from individuals he claimed were acting on Ruto’s behalf.
He singled out Farouk Kibet and Kimani Ichung’wah as Ruto’s attack dogs in the onslaught against Uhuru, questioning why the president couldn’t face his predecessor directly if he was so desperate for a vendetta.
“You humiliated our son. And we shall not sit back and watch you use your protégés Farouk and Ichungwah to continue disrespecting President Uhuru Kenyatta. I want to say it from the mountaintop — no one under your influence will be allowed to insult Uhuru Kenyatta anymore. You’ve done enough damage.”
He further warned that should the president continue using proxies or political surrogates to insult Kenyatta, he would ensure Ruto receives the same treatment from Mt Kenya residents.
He insisted that he would mobilise the public to hurl insults at Ruto in return, speaking with fervour as he declared that the president was gravely mistaken to think Uhuru was just another ordinary leader he could mock without consequence.
“If you return to this mountain with your insults and send young people to disrespect our former president, then I shall personally instruct the people to insult you in return,” he said. “We cannot sit by as you violate the dignity of our son. We will meet you where you stand.”
The crowd responded with thunderous applause, with many attendees nodding in agreement as Gachagua’s words echoed through the hills of Wamunyoro.
