- President William Ruto rejected signs of reconciliation from Rigathi Gachagua during their first joint platform since their differences, at the funeral of MP David Kiaraho
- Gachagua expressed readiness for reconciliation, blaming Ruto’s problems in Mount Kenya on leaders he called traitors, especially Kimani Ichung’wah
- Ruto strongly rejected reconciliation, insisting that his relationship with Mount Kenya began before Gachagua and vowed to unite Kenya against tribal politics
President William Ruto has no intention of accepting the signs of reconciliation directed at him by his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.
Source: Twitter
The two shared the same platform in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County, when they attended the funeral service of the local Member of Parliament, the late David Kiaraho.
Although the two won the presidency together in 2022, their alliance broke up two years later, leading to Gachagua’s ouster in October 2024.
Since then, he has launched a strong campaign against Ruto in the Mt Kenya area, promising to remove him from power in the 2027 elections.
When he got the chance to speak, Gachagua used the opportunity to address his differences with Ruto.
He seemed to reduce the severity of his usual statements, showing readiness for political reconciliation before 2027.
The DCP leader claimed that Ruto’s problems with Mount Kenya voters stem from his relationship with leaders whom Gachagua described as traitors, who were also involved in his ouster.
He repeatedly mentioned the Kikuyu Member of Parliament, Kimani Ichung’wah, accusing him of leading a group that misled the president and reduced his popularity in the region.
According to Gachagua, such people caused the conflict between the president and Mount Kenya.
He reminded Ruto that betrayal is unforgivable in the community, but suggested that the president could still mend relations with the region if he changed course.
Positioning himself as the top leader of Mt. Kenya, Gachagua insisted that Ruto can regain support if he listens to him and distance himself from inexperienced leaders, mentioning Ichung’wah ahead of others.
He urged the president to seek peace and friendship with the community, stop following wrong advice, and avoid humiliating or ignoring them.
He concluded by saying that cooperation is possible, but only if Ruto abandons those he thinks are misleading him.
But when he got the chance to speak, Ruto immediately rejected any possibility of reuniting with Gachagua.
From the beginning, he wanted to dispel the notion that Gachagua was the one who introduced him to Mt Kenya voters.
He said his relationship with the area began long before he met Gachagua, adding that he did not need his permission to visit the area.
“I understand that the people of Mount Kenya voted for me. I understand that I am not crazy, nor drunk or stupid. My friendship with the people of Mount Kenya began many years ago; it did not start in two or three days. No one should bring his personal quarrel to clash with me and the people of Mount Kenya. I know how to work with the people of Mount Kenya. I want to say this: everyone respect themselves. I do not seek permission from anyone, whoever, to go to any part of Kenya. I am the president, and I will go wherever I want. I will make sure that people’s rights are respected, and no one will use them for politics,” he said.
At the same time, he continued his attacks against Gachagua, accusing him of promoting ethnic politics and ethnic hatred.
Ruto said he will continue with his mission to unite Kenya regardless of opposition from his opponents, referring to the establishment of an integrated government, which he said symbolizes the mission to unite the country.
“While I am still the leader of this country, I will unite the nation. That is why I established an integrated government, the one that unites the country. We cannot allow those who preach ethnic hatred, tribalism and division. They have no place in the Republic of Kenya,” he said.
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