Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that he confronted President William Ruto over what he termed as deliberate neglect of Western Kenya.
He claimed that the Head of State downplayed his concerns by suggesting that development was no longer a priority in the region, so long as key leaders Musalia Mudavadi and Moses Wetang’ula, were satisfied.
Speaking during the opposition’s western region tour on Thursday, July 3, 2025, Gachagua, who was once one of Ruto’s fiercest defenders, stated that he had personally questioned the president over the region’s stalled infrastructure projects and the privatisation of strategic assets.
“So I asked Ruto about this Western Kenya issue — about the 100-kilometre stretch of road. You have already sold Nzoia Sugar; you have sold everything, so what do you intend to do with the Luhya community? He responded by saying, ‘If Musalia and Wetang’ula are full, then the Luhya are full.’ But are you truly full? No. Ruto should go now,” Gachagua said.
On the same note, Gachagua decried the pivotal role he had played in propelling President Ruto to the helm of power, expressing profound regret and stating that the Head of State has now become the most detested leader among the people.
He pleaded with the residents of Western Kenya to extend him forgiveness, emphasising that he is acutely aware that, were it not for his intervention, Ruto would never have ascended to the presidency.
“I am the one who brought all this trouble upon Kenya because I helped Ruto win the presidential seat. So, Western Kenya, you will have to forgive me. I played a role, but the problem is repeating a mistake, which I won’t,” Gachagua said.
Western tour
Gachagua further disclosed that President Ruto is planning a tour of Western Kenya, but urged the region’s residents not to roll out the red carpet for him.
He recounted how, during Ruto’s recent visit to the Mount Kenya region, they orchestrated a strategy to extract money from him by demanding Ksh1,000 for attendance, Ksh1,000 to laugh at his jokes, and an additional Ksh1,000 to wave in support.
In that regard, he advised Western Kenya to refrain from showing the president any form of reverence, and instead, if they are astute, they should replicate the same tactic to drain him financially and leave him in a state of desperation.
“Ruto should go. Lastly, Ruto is planning to come here. If you do not want him, that is fine. When Ruto planned to come to Mount Kenya, we planned for it — we said the meeting would require a thousand people to clap, another thousand to cheer, and another thousand to wave in support.
“We took millions. Ruto should be completely shaved. When he comes here, as we always say, an elephant should never be buried with its tusks. When he comes, those tusks must be removed.”
