NAIROBI, Kenya — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has turned down Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s invitation for a televised debate, insisting he will only debate President William Ruto in the 2027 presidential contest.
On Wednesday, February 11, during the NYOTA youth empowerment event at Garissa High School, Duale, addressing President Ruto, proposed a live discussion with Gachagua on Citizen TV’s JKLive.
“President Ruto, leave him (Gachagua) to me. I will deal with him,” Duale said to applause from the crowd.
However, Gachagua dismissed the offer on Thursday, saying he does not engage with Ruto’s aides. “I have heard an employee of William Ruto was inviting me to some debate. Laughable! I don’t debate nor engage with employees of William Ruto. I am only available for one debate with the Ruto team, the Presidential Debate next year between Mr. William Ruto and I. His employees should help him prepare talking notes early enough,” Gachagua tweeted.
President Ruto, speaking at the same Garissa event, appeared to distance himself from the exchange. “I want to tell my friend Aden Duale, those who know English normally say, ‘Don’t argue with a fool; people will not know the difference.’ Let us not waste our time. We have an agenda for this nation,” he told Duale.
The tension follows Gachagua’s recent statements in Nyeri, where he accused Northern leaders of misusing devolved funds and later criticised the Kenya Kwanza government for neglecting the North Eastern region amid drought and famine.
Political analysts say the incident reflects underlying factionalism within the Kenya Kwanza coalition, particularly regarding development priorities in marginalized regions. Gachagua’s insistence on a presidential-level debate underscores his positioning as a key challenger in the 2027 elections.
Observers note that the public spat, though largely symbolic, could shape voter perceptions ahead of next year’s electoral contest, highlighting regional grievances and intra-party rivalries.
