In a fiery address delivered at the DAP Kenya offices in Nairobi on Monday, January 27, 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto, vowing to mobilize all available resources to ensure he becomes a one-term president.
Gachagua, who described the Ruto administration as the greatest impediment to Kenya’s development, accused the President of fostering corruption within the corridors of power.
Labeling himself as a “truthful man,” Gachagua did not hold back as he tore into his former boss’s leadership style, dismissing claims that his impeachment stemmed from corruption and incompetence.
“The only incompetence I accept is my refusal to be a sycophant. I challenged the President to honor the promises we made to Kenyans during the campaign, but instead, he chose bitterness and orchestrated my removal,” Gachagua declared.
The former Deputy President, ousted by Parliament less than two years into his tenure, likened Ruto’s cabinet to a “praise and worship team” that blindly sings the President’s tune without accountability.
He accused Ruto of surrounding himself with appointees too fearful to challenge his authority, likening them to mere flower girls who follow orders without question.
A Movement Against Ruto’s Rule
Gachagua was joined by key opposition leaders, including Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa, during the launch of DAP-K offices.
The leaders called for a united front to counter Ruto’s administration and weaken the influence of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ahead of the 2027 elections.
Kalonzo rallied Kenyans to prepare for a mass political movement aimed at dismantling Ruto’s grip on power. “This is not just about elections; it’s about liberating our nation from a regime that has failed to deliver on its promises,” he said.
Former UDA Secretary General Cleophas Malala echoed these sentiments, accusing the President of employing delay tactics in the reconstitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The leaders suggested that the delays were part of a calculated scheme to manipulate electoral processes and undermine Raila Odinga’s standing as Kenya’s candidate to the African Union Commission.
A Divisive Leadership Style
The leaders also criticized Ruto’s leadership style, accusing him of abandoning the unity and promises he championed during his campaign.
They argued that his government has fostered division, mismanagement, and a disregard for institutional independence.
Gachagua’s remarks, alongside those of other opposition leaders, mark the beginning of what is likely to be a politically charged period leading to the 2027 elections.
Their pledge to rally the nation against Ruto’s administration sets the stage for a dramatic showdown between the opposition and the incumbent regime.
Kenya, it seems, is gearing up for a fierce political battle, with Rigathi Gachagua and his allies leading the charge to unseat President William Ruto.
