NAIROBI, Kenya- Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua turned a routine media interaction into a dramatic political confrontation by playing a verified audio recording he claimed was sent by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, a close ally of President William Ruto.
The incident unfolded during a press engagement with journalists from the Rift Valley region, where Gachagua faced questions on his earlier allegations that senior government officials were involved in public land grabbing.
Rather than provide new evidence to substantiate those claims, he shifted focus to the conduct of his political rivals.
As reporters pressed him on specifics, including past accusations that the president and principal secretaries conducted land deals at night, Gachagua challenged why those he had accused had not publicly rebutted his claims.
He then singled out Oscar Sudi, saying: “The one who has complained and insulted me is Sudi.”
Moments later, Gachagua played the voice note on his phone.
Sudi could be heard threatening Gachagua, who was then serving as a Deputy President.
The recording featured explicit language and insults directed at him, prompting visible shock and discomfort among those in the room.
He asserted the audio demonstrated a broader pattern of disrespect and hostility among some of Ruto’s closest allies to leaders from Mt Kenya region.
Gachagua didn’t stop at Sudi; he also referenced Farouk Kibet, a long‑time aide to President Ruto, claiming similar harsh language was used against former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
His aim appeared to be to highlight what he described as a culture of verbal abuse within the current administration’s circle.
