KIRINYAGA, Kenya — Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of damaging Kenya’s international reputation, dismissing claims that the opposition is responsible for portraying the country negatively abroad.
Speaking at ACK Church Kimathi in Ndia, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua said the government’s actions — including alleged abductions, killings and foreign policy controversies — had drawn criticism from the international community. He argued that the opposition was merely highlighting governance concerns.
“We heard the president say that we in the opposition are spoiling the name of the country. We want to tell him it is not us, it is him,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president also accused President Ruto of focusing on early campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election instead of addressing challenges facing key sectors of the economy. He claimed the administration was struggling to stabilise healthcare and agriculture, warning that citizens were bearing the brunt.
Gachagua alleged that the Social Health Authority (SHA) was under strain and affecting healthcare delivery across the country. “The SHA is collapsing, taking hospitals down with it,” he said, adding that facilities were experiencing operational challenges.
On agriculture, he claimed farmers were struggling to access subsidised fertiliser, forcing them to buy from private agro-vets at higher prices. According to Gachagua, this contradicted government promises to support food production and lower input costs for farmers.
The DCP leader also criticised the President’s foreign policy priorities, alleging that the government was focusing on issues in Sudan instead of addressing domestic challenges. He urged Ruto to concentrate on local concerns and stop blaming the opposition for governance shortcomings.
Turning to regional politics, Gachagua faulted leaders from the Mt Kenya region, saying they had failed to defend the interests of residents. He argued that weak leadership had contributed to persistent economic and social challenges in the region.
He further alleged that illicit alcohol had resurfaced in parts of Mt Kenya following his exit from government, claiming he had spearheaded a crackdown on the trade while serving as deputy president. According to him, enforcement efforts had since weakened, allowing the problem to re-emerge.
Gachagua also criticised National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Ndia MP George Kariuki, and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, accusing them of being used to undermine Mt Kenya residents. He further alleged that meetings linked to an impeachment push were held at a Nairobi hotel associated with Kariuki.
During the event, Gachagua rallied support for his Democracy for the Citizens Party, saying the Mt Kenya region needed a strong political vehicle to articulate its interests ahead of the next election cycle.
He pitched DCP as the platform that would consolidate the region’s political voice and influence national decision-making.
The DCP leader was accompanied by Kirinyaga Senator James Kamau Murango, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu and Kirinyaga Woman Representative Jane Njeri, among other leaders and aspirants.
