Thorn in the flesh: Why Gachagua has become Ruto's loudest foe

A year after Rigathi Gachagua was removed from office over accusations of gross misconduct, irregular wealth acquisition, insubordination, and fanning ethnic divisions, the former deputy president has re-emerged as the face of the Opposition — a combative figure rattling his former boss, President William Ruto.

Gachagua has spent the past month in the United States, where he kept up attacks on the government, criticising corruption, extrajudicial killings and human rights violations. His return today, however, has been timed to coincide with a string of by-elections — a political showdown that will mark his first direct contest with Ruto ahead of the 2027 general election.

The mini-polls, slated for 27 November, will also test Opposition unity, with friendlier parties weighing whether to cooperate or compete, a dynamic that could trouble Kenya Kwanza’s grip.

Before leaving for the US, Gachagua issued a scathing statement accusing Ruto of overseeing a state-backed militia responsible for looting and destruction in several regions.

“The militia were procured by Mr Ruto, governors and MPs allied to him. These regions included Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Kisii, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Meru, Nyandarua, Kitengela, Ongata Rongai, Machakos, Embu and Wote. They had clear instructions to loot and destroy specific properties,” he claimed.

He further alleged that the government had created a killer squad of 101 operatives, armed with assault rifles and operating in convoys of unmarked Subarus, tasked with shooting protesters indiscriminately.

The accusations provoked a furious response from President Ruto, who branded Gachagua’s remarks “stupid” and “shameful”, daring him to record a formal statement with police.

“I have heard there is a person claiming that the government planned goons to loot and destroy property belonging to one ethnic community. If he is man enough, let him tell us who these people are, let him record a statement with the police and name the people behind the scheme. Making reckless and stupid political remarks on social media is unacceptable,” Ruto retorted.

Earlier in April, Gachagua had accused the government of misappropriating donated fertiliser, alleging that consignments of 40,000 tonnes from Russia and 30,000 tonnes from Algeria were handed to a private company, rebranded and sold to farmers at inflated prices.

“These donations were handed to a local company by the president. They then resold the fertiliser to the government at market rates, pocketing billions,” he told KTN.

Even while abroad, Gachagua kept firing at Ruto, accusing him of turning State House into “a house of deals”.

“We don’t have a government; we have a criminal enterprise. Ruto is the chief procurement, he is the chief accountant, he is the supplier and everything,” he declared.

The by-elections will see the two rivals clash in Mbeere North, Malava and Banisa constituencies, with ODM expected to retain Kasipul, Magarini and Ugunja.

In Mbeere North, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has been camped in the constituency to defend the seat left vacant after Geoffrey Ruku was appointed to head the Public Service docket. Together with Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, the UDA national chairperson, Kindiki is under pressure to deliver victory to avoid further embarrassment for the ruling party.

Gachagua’s DCP has fielded Duncan Mbui, while UDA is struggling to whittle down nine aspirants to one flagbearer. Kindiki has promised jobs in government to those who step aside and back the consensus candidate.

“If the contestants cannot agree on one person, we will hold free and fair nominations and back the winner. The winner will be supported by all the contestants. If you openly back the winner, we will hold your hand and find a place for you somewhere else,” Kindiki assured aspirants.

The Opposition’s failure to agree on a joint candidate could hand UDA an edge, especially given the history of the Democratic Party, which previously sponsored Ruku. Gachagua, however, has appeared reluctant to honour his pledge to back DP’s Newton Kariuki, alias Newton Karish.

In Malava, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has been deployed to lead UDA’s campaign, while Gachagua has sent his deputy, Cleophas Malala, to push for DCP candidate Edgar Busiega, a lawyer with ANC and DAP-Kenya roots.

Mudavadi has dismissed DCP as “inexperienced and untested”, a party with no representation or real influence.

“Now, this party that has just arrived, calling itself DCP… whatever, it is not even a parliamentary party. It doesn’t even have a representative right now. Why do they want to do their experiment with the people of Malava?” he asked.

Busiega countered that DCP was rooted in the region, noting Malala and DCP coordinator Alex Khamasi hail from Kakamega.

“It was my desire to join a party with a national outlook which accommodated my aspirations. The party may be new but it is vibrant and stable; other parties have lost influence,” he said.

Gachagua is expected to camp in Western Kenya for his first domestic tour since the US, campaigning for Busiega before heading to Gusii to court support.

In Banisa, DCP has fronted Aden Mohammed, while UDA is backing Ahmed Maalim — setting the stage for yet another bruising contest.