Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has delivered a pointed political warning to President William Ruto, suggesting that the decision to push him out of government could ultimately contribute to Ruto’s defeat at the ballot.
Speaking during a political engagement, Gachagua told Ruto that the political consequences of his actions could come back to haunt him, arguing that the person the President allegedly chased away could play a decisive role in ending his tenure at State House.
“The person you chased away is the one who will eventually remove you from the presidency,” Gachagua said, in remarks that are likely to intensify the growing political rivalry between the two leaders.
Gachagua and Ruto were once close political allies and worked together during the 2022 presidential campaign.
Their relationship, however, deteriorated sharply after Ruto assumed office, eventually resulting in an open political split.
Since leaving government, Gachagua has increasingly positioned himself as one of the strongest critics of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He has accused the government of abandoning some of the promises made to Kenyans during the 2022 election campaign and has called for political realignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The former Deputy President has also been building the Democracy for Citizens Party as a vehicle for his political ambitions while reaching out to leaders and communities across the country.
His latest remarks appear to signal that the political contest between him and Ruto could become even more intense as the country approaches the next election.
Gachagua's statement also reflects the broader debate over the political strength of the Mt Kenya region and its potential influence on the 2027 presidential race.
The region was instrumental in Ruto's victory in 2022, but relations between the President and sections of his former support base have since become increasingly strained.
For Ruto, the challenge will be maintaining support across the coalition that propelled him to power while confronting emerging opposition alliances.
For Gachagua, the task is equally demanding: transforming criticism of the government into a broad national political movement capable of challenging an incumbent president.