Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stepped up his criticism of President William Ruto, accusing the administration of corruption, extrajudicial killings and mismanagement of public resources.
Speaking during a two-day tour of Kangai in Mwea Constituency, Kirinyaga County, Gachagua said he would continue exposing what he termed as the “true state of the nation.”
“We will never tire of informing the public about the true state of our nation… our country is facing unprecedented levels of looting, corruption, extrajudicial killings, and resource mismanagement,” he said.
He added that the reception from residents signalled growing support, declaring: “Very soon, we shall emerge victorious.”
His latest remarks add to a string of recent statements in which he has directly targeted the President, saying he is determined to remove him from power through the ballot.
“I want to remove him from power… he is responsible for the hole we are in as a country,” Gachagua said in a recent interview.
President Ruto has in recent remarks dismissed his former deputy and accused opponents of engaging in divisive and distraction politics.
In response to attacks from critics, including Gachagua, Ruto has maintained that his administration remains focused on governance and development, warning against what he describes as attempts to destabilise the government.
He has also previously accused political opponents of fuelling unrest to force political change outside the ballot.
During periods of nationwide protests, the President said such actions were attempts “to unconstitutionally overthrow” his government, even as critics linked the unrest to governance concerns.
At the same time, some of Ruto’s allies have gone further, accusing Gachagua of backing political agitation—claims the former deputy president has denied.
Government critics have echoed concerns about governance, corruption and economic strain, though some have questioned Gachagua’s position given his role in the same administration.
Recent public discontent has centred on economic hardship, tax measures and allegations of corruption, with sections of Kenyans accusing the government of failing to deliver on its promises.
The criticism has been amplified by youth-led protests and sustained political pressure, with opponents accusing the administration of heavy-handed responses and lack of accountability.
At the same time, political observers note that Gachagua’s criticism marks a sharp shift from his time in office, where he was a key ally of the President.
Since his removal from office, Gachagua has rebranded himself as a key opposition figure and declared his intention to challenge Ruto in the 2027 General Election.
In recent days, he has continued to sustain pressure on the President, including claims that development projects are being distributed unevenly across regions—remarks he later said were meant to push for equity.
