DALLAS, US — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto’s administration of wasting public resources by taking a large delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Gachagua claimed that more than 500 people accompanied Ruto to the United States at public expense, describing the expenditure as unnecessary.
“He brought a delegation of over 500 people to New York, on public expense. Sheer wasting of public resources,” Gachagua said while addressing Kenyans living in Dallas, Texas.
Gachagua Questions Size of Ruto’s Delegation
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said all Cabinet ministers had travelled to New York for the UNGA meetings, specifically pointing to ministers associated with the broad-based government arrangement.
His remarks came shortly after the Government’s participation in the 81st UN General Assembly, where Ruto held a series of diplomatic and economic engagements.
Reporting has separately confirmed that several Cabinet secretaries accompanied Ruto, including Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho, Opiyo Wandayi, Alice Wahome, Julius Ogamba, William Kabogo and Aden Duale.
Gachagua argued that the spending illustrated what he considers excessive use of public resources.
Gachagua Links Spending to 2027 Politics
The former Deputy President linked his criticism of the New York trip to the broader political contest ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He said the concerns over government spending were among the issues driving calls for opposition parties to unite behind a single presidential candidate.
Gachagua has been using his extended US diaspora tour to discuss the opposition’s political strategy and his vision for the 2027 election.
He said he would support whoever the United Opposition ultimately selects as its presidential candidate, even if he is not chosen.
“If it’s not me, I’ll support whoever it is unconditionally.”
Gachagua Challenges Opposition Rivals
Gachagua challenged other opposition principals to make the same commitment publicly.
He urged his fellow aspirants to instruct their supporters to back the eventual coalition candidate rather than suggesting they could support Ruto if their preferred candidate fails to secure the opposition ticket.
“I’m asking my colleagues in the United Opposition to give clear direction to their supporters, to also pronounce themselves that they will support whoever is agreed on,” he said.
Gachagua warned that attaching conditions to such a commitment would undermine the push for a single opposition candidate.
He said some of his political partners had been “a little bit slippery”, without naming the individuals he was referring to.
Kalonzo, Matiang’i, Karua and Wamalwa Mentioned
Gachagua named Kalonzo Musyoka, Fred Matiang’i, Martha Karua and Eugene Wamalwa among politicians he said could be acceptable to Kenyan voters as opposition candidates.
He argued that the eventual choice should be based on what he described as practicality and cost-effectiveness rather than age, gender or previous political alliances.
“Kenyans are telling us, we don’t know whom we want, but we know whom we don’t want,” he said.
Gachagua Claims 17 Per Cent Ruto Approval
Gachagua also claimed that a scientific opinion poll he commissioned placed President Ruto’s approval rating at 17 per cent.
Recent polling has produced different measurements of preferences within the opposition. For example, an Infotrak survey published in July measured views on potential opposition presidential tickets rather than presidential approval.
Gachagua Says He Has Election Experience
Gachagua also invoked his political experience while discussing how the opposition should choose its candidate.
“This will be my seventh presidential election. I’ve never lost an election,” he said.
He argued that the opposition should select its flag bearer based on practical considerations and the ability to mount a competitive campaign.
