NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using fuel price increases to raise money for political bribery, escalating his criticism of the Head of State ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua alleged that Ruto was facing growing rejection across the country over abductions, extrajudicial killings, misuse of public funds, poor policymaking and economic mismanagement.
Gachagua also accused the President of becoming increasingly frustrated and desperate as he confronts mounting public dissatisfaction, claiming that his political support efforts increasingly rely on cash handouts.
“Kenyans are demanding cash from him everywhere he goes, including in his native Rift Valley backyard,” Gachagua claimed.
Gachagua Links Fuel Price Increase To Political Funding
The former Deputy President alleged that the President had ordered an increase in fuel prices of Sh9 per litre for diesel and Sh12 for petrol, claiming the additional revenue was intended to finance political bribery.
He further alleged that Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi had been instructed to defend the increase at a press conference by citing movements in global oil prices.
Gachagua dismissed that explanation as misleading, insisting that the alleged price adjustment was politically motivated.
However, the claims about the President’s alleged intentions, the proposed fuel price increases and their purported connection to political funding were not independently substantiated in the statement.
Gachagua Intensifies Attack Ahead Of 2027 Elections
Gachagua’s remarks also included allegations of financial desperation and growing public anger towards the President, whom he accused of relying on handouts to win over voters.
He claimed that Ruto was struggling to maintain political support as the next General Election approaches.
“The 10th August 2027 reality is setting in on him!” Gachagua said, referring to the date he cited for the next election.
The former Deputy President’s latest attack adds to the political confrontation between the two leaders as the country moves towards the 2027 polls.
