Sh10 billion deal: How I was blackmailed by Gachagua- Ruto
Ruto further recalled an instance where Gachagua allegedly offered him a deal, claiming that he could make him a one-term president unless he received Sh10 billion to help mobilise Mt Kenya voters.
President William Ruto has shed light on his decision to sideline former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in favour of his successor, Kithure Kindiki.
Speaking in an interview on Monday, Ruto explained that the move was motivated by the need for a smooth working relationship, noting that there were ongoing issues with Gachagua that made governance difficult.
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The Head of State shared the challenges he faced while working with Gachagua, revealing that the former deputy president had been involved in multiple disputes with government officials and even attempted to blackmail him.
“I did not sign any papers to remove Rigathi Gachagua from office. The law was followed, and those who removed him, removed him. I nominated Rigathi Gachagua with my one vote. After the election, three things happened. First, we had challenges. There were small, small cases every day. I asked him, you are the Deputy President of Kenya, why are you fighting with blogger Dennis Itumbi? Why are you fighting with government officials like Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichungwa? I told him these small wars, what are they for?” Ruto explained.
“I told Rigathi, let’s focus on working for the people of Kenya. Let’s stop with these petty disputes,” he added.
According to Ruto, Gachagua also escalated tensions with members of Parliament, warning them that they would be sent home unless they supported him.
“Before December, if you don’t bow to me, you’ll go home,” Ruto quoted Gachagua as saying, to which the MPs responded that they would handle the matter before the year’s end.
Ruto further recalled an instance where Gachagua allegedly offered him a deal, claiming that he could make him a one-term president unless he received Sh10 billion to help mobilise Mt Kenya voters.
“He told me, ‘I can make you a one-term president unless I get Sh10 billion to mobilise the people of Mt Kenya,’” Ruto said.
“I told him I would not do that.”
In recounting his decision to pick Gachagua over Kindiki from the beginning, Ruto said, “Professor Kindiki got 27 votes, my friend Gachagua got 5 votes. But when they brought me the names, I told them let me think about it. At the end I persuaded them and told them that I’m accused of meeting young leaders, so that it doesn’t appear that we are only picking young leaders, I opted to pick Gachagua.”
Ruto also fired back at Gachagua’s claims that his administration had not launched any projects in the Mt Kenya region, calling the former deputy president’s accusations untrue.
“You have heard some leaders saying that Ruto is a liar, there is nothing he has done. I came here, not far from this State House, at Gatung’ang’a, where a road is being constructed, passing through Marua, Wambui, and Wamunyoro, where that man who is saying I have done nothing resides,” Ruto said.
Earlier, Gachagua had criticised the President, accusing him of lying to the people of Mt Kenya.
“All the projects here were launched by Uhuru Kenyatta; there is not even one of his projects,” Gachagua said. “Therefore, when you come, tell us which projects you have done. The projects here were started by Uhuru Kenyatta, and you have refused to complete them. But don’t come and lie to the people of Mt Kenya.”
However the President has emphasised his administration’s commitment to ongoing development in Mt Kenya despite the tensions.
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