Gachagua Responds to Ruto’s Extortion Claims

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has responded to President William Ruto’s extortion claims.

In a statement on Monday, November 9, Gachagua criticised Ruto’s political approach ahead of his anticipated engagements in Kisii and Nyamira counties, accusing him of memorising names of villages and roads to appeal to residents without delivering meaningful development projects.

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"Yesterday, I called you out for going to cheat my cousins in the Gusii Nation. Even tomorrow, I know the lies you are going to spread. The only thing you are doing is an old script of memorizing names of villages and roads in Kisii and Nyamira. This is an old tired script you used in 2022. What a horrible playbook.

"In four years, you have done nothing for them. No roads, no water, no electricity, no airport, nothing. All you have done are more lies and handouts. RiggyG is not a road in Kisii or Nyamira. Rigathi is not a water project. Gachagua is not an airport. The truthful man is not a rural electrification project," he wrote.

Gachagua also warned Ruto against allegedly targeting DCP aspirants, invoking a previous political incident involving the President and the family of his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua.

"Leave DCP aspirants alone, or you will get another egg in the face, just like when you tried to con the widow and children of my late brother, Governor Gachagua," he added.

The DCP leader further escalated his criticism by promising a major political campaign against Ruto ahead of the August 10, 2027, General Election.

He said his earlier political engagements in Ol Kalou were only a preview of what he intended to unleash during the campaigns, warning that the President should prepare for an aggressive political contest.

"I told you in advance that I would teach you real politics. The half dose I gave you in Olkalou was just a dress rehearsal. I am preparing the full dose to administer intravenously on 10th August 2027. You will not believe the lethargy. It will be cruel, fast and furious," he further said.

Gachagua also vowed to replicate what he described as the Ol Kalou political template across all 290 constituencies, accusing the government of potentially using state institutions to influence the outcome of the 2027 elections.

"We shall apply a double Olkalou template in all 290 constituencies across the country. You will have no escape route to rig the elections, intimidate any public servant, or misuse our police service or any state agency. For your information, they are also waiting for you. Every time they look at their payslips or try to access medical care, they vow to retaliate at the ballot on 10th August 2027," he concluded.

Speaking in Kisii earlier Monday, Ruto branded Gachagua an extortionist, alleging that he demanded money from his party aspirants.

He claimed that Gachagua demanded incentives from aspirants seeking political office under his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

Ruto added that aspirants are forced to cough up up to Ksh50,000 to get a chance to address the people at DCP rallies.

"You are the chief extortionist. You were impeached because of it, and now you are frustrating businessmen and aspirants in your party.

"I hear governors are made to dish out Ksh10 million, others Ksh20 million. Even to address the people, they must pay Ksh50,000 to be given the microphone," he lashed out.

Ruto further denied the former DP's allegation that people in Kisii and Nyamira Counties were being paid to attend his rallies during his tour of the Abagusii region.

He asked Gachagua to respect the people from the region and their freedom of association.

"The people of Kisii, didn't you see me here asking for votes? Did anyone do it for me? Now a one-term MP with a lot of pride but a small brain, claims that he made me president, somebody who has been elected into office seven times," he stated.