NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at President William Ruto after the Head of State accused retired President Uhuru Kenyatta of financing and sponsoring the opposition ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) headquarters in Nairobi on Friday, August 14, Gachagua told Ruto to stop targeting Kenyatta and instead focus on the politicians he expects to face on the ballot.
“William Ruto, please leave President Uhuru Kenyatta alone. President Uhuru Kenyatta is retired and face your competitor, Rigathi Gachagua,” he said.
Gachagua, who leads the DCP, portrayed himself as Ruto’s principal political challenger and argued that Kenyatta would not be contesting the presidency in 2027.
“You cannot pretend that you are in competition with President Uhuru Kenyatta. He will not be on the ballot,” Gachagua asserted.
Ruto accuses Uhuru of backing opposition
The former Deputy President was responding to remarks Ruto made during a public engagement in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on Thursday.
Ruto accused his predecessor of acting as the opposition’s “chief financier” and “sponsor”, alleging that Kenyatta was organising political proxies to challenge his administration and defeat him in 2027.
“When you look at those people, didn’t their sponsor fail at matters of affordable housing?” Ruto told supporters.
“Now he has gone to organise his proxies, sending people here to come and compete with me,” he added.
Ruto also expressed confidence that he would defeat his political opponents in the next election.
“I will defeat these people early in the morning,” he said.
The President is seeking a second term in 2027, while a growing number of opposition leaders are positioning themselves for the presidential contest.
Gachagua attacks Ruto’s record
In his response, Gachagua shifted the focus to what he described as shortcomings of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He criticised the government’s handling of governance, the rule of law, political violence and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Gachagua specifically rejected any suggestion that Kenyatta was responsible for the government’s approach to political dissent.
“It is not President Uhuru Kenyatta who advised you to suspend the rule of law and use goonism as a way of life,” he said.
His remarks come amid renewed political debate over the use of organised groups and alleged goonism during political activities and public demonstrations.
Ruto-Gachagua rivalry intensifies
The latest exchange marks another escalation in the increasingly open political confrontation between Ruto and his former deputy.
The two leaders worked together during the 2022 presidential campaign, when they successfully defeated the opposition coalition led by Raila Odinga.
Their relationship subsequently deteriorated, culminating in Gachagua’s removal from the Deputy Presidency in October 2024.
Gachagua has since established himself as one of the most vocal critics of the Ruto administration and has increasingly positioned the DCP as a vehicle for his political ambitions.
The former Deputy President’s declaration that he is Ruto’s key competitor adds another dimension to an already crowded 2027 political field.
Several opposition figures have either declared presidential ambitions or been linked to possible presidential coalitions, while discussions continue over how the various parties and political formations will organise themselves ahead of the election.
