Now we know you, Gachagua tells Ruto as he declares 2025 political comeback

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at a past event. (X/Rigathi Gachagua)

By Lucy Mumbi
Sunday, November 24, 2024

Gachagua has promised a calculated and decisive political resurgence, anchored on what he termed as betrayal and dishonesty.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced a major political comeback set for January 2025, following consultations with leaders and residents from the Mt. Kenya region.

Speaking during a church service in Murang’a on Sunday, Gachagua stated that his fallout with President William Ruto had given him the opportunity to re-strategise.

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Gachagua alleged that Ruto’s involvement in his impeachment revealed the president’s true character. He promised a calculated and decisive political resurgence, anchored on what he termed as betrayal and dishonesty.

“We, as the Mt. Kenya people, hate two things: lies and betrayal. This coming January, after the talks, we will announce the next direction. Never again shall we find ourselves in the hole we are in," Gachagua said.

Gachagua noted that the people of Mt. Kenya now fully understood Ruto’s intentions and would address him accordingly, adding that upcoming discussions would be conducted with newfound clarity and respect.

“President Ruto, my friend, did a good thing to bring this fight against me and the people of the mountain because now we know him. Now we understand you, and we will address you as we know you and who you are. Now we will have talks with respect," he said.

The impeached DP revealed he has been consulting with church leaders, business figures, professionals, and other like-minded individuals from the region to chart a way forward. He remarked that the timing of his impeachment was a blessing in disguise.

"It is better you [Ruto] have launched this attack early because if it was in the second term, you would have bothered us,” he said.

Since his impeachment, Gachagua has maintained a critical stance against the government, attributing his removal to his opposition to certain government policies. He accused lawmakers of being bribed to back his ouster, particularly over the Finance Bill 2024.

“MPs went and passed the Finance Bill 2024. I was the only one in Cabinet who was against it. The president said, 'no, you do not have to do what is popular, you do what is right.' I said that is okay but a majority of Kenyans are saying it is not right,” Gachagua recounted.

The former deputy president has also criticised the government for its alleged mistreatment of religious leaders, urging Ruto to heed their concerns.

During a church service in Kajiado County on November 17, Gachagua warned that the administration risks repeating mistakes of past regimes, such as that of former President Daniel Arap Moi, which he accused of suppressing the clergy.

Gachagua has further claimed that the government is harassing him through intimidation and surveillance. He alleged that security agents in unmarked cars have been monitoring his Nairobi and Nyeri residences and trailing him.

“They are parking at the entrance of my Nairobi residence, taking note of all my visitors, and they trail me whenever I leave the house, even all the way to my rural home in Nyeri,” he said in a previous statement on X.