NAIROBI – Former Vice President Rigati Gachagua was angry at President William Root’s comments about fallout and accused the president of lying and misleading the public.
The response came after an interview with Root at Sagana Lodge on Monday night. There, he was the first to tackle gachagua’s blast each, accusing his former lieutenant of causing his own downfall.
“I am now more convinced than ever before that pathological lies are mentally ill. The biggest existential threat to our beloved country is lying to the people of Kenyan without failing to put his team together to harmonize their lies.
Ruto argued that constant conflict with Gachagua staff and lawmakers, including complaints about bloggers like Dennis Itonbi, is a distraction from his duties.
“He wasn’t working. He was always in the fight and constantly complaining about staff. He had to intervene every time until he was exhausted,” Root said.
Ruto also revealed that Gachagua demanded 10 billion Ksh to solve the problem of Mt. Kenya and threatened Ruto with one presidency if no money was provided.
“When I said I didn’t give him money, I would become one president, he refused to me. This is the one who repeatedly protected the shield from the bluff each when the leader asked for his removal for threats, but at some point, I gave up,” Root said.
In response, Gachagua’s tweets lashed out violently, accusing Ruto of dishonest and warning of the dangers of leaders who manipulate the truth for political gain.
Gachagua, which was blasted in October 2024 with accusations that included workplace and tribalist abuse, previously held a position as a critic of the voices of Ruto leaders. His blast each led to political tensions in the Mount Kenya region. There, Gachagua was once a key figure in gathering support for Ruto in the 2022 election.
Despite the fallout, Root maintained confidence in his relationship with Kenyan voters and noted that ties with the region have been built over decades.
“I have been visiting Mount Kenya for over 20 years. This is not a friendship for months or days. It was built over decades. Such bonds cannot be questioned based on the political changes of months,” he said.
Ruto also dismissed allegations that he ignored the area, highlighting infrastructure projects launched under his administration, including roads and housing developments.
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The president also shot former Attorney General Justin Muturi, accusing him of incompetence during his tenure.
“I moved him to the cabinet and he hugged the meeting,” Root said.
Despite efforts by routes to appease political fallout, Gachagua’s harsh words reflect the growing tensions in the region, with some voters expressing their dissatisfaction with the president’s leadership and the handling of gachagua’s removal.
As Ruto continues his tour of Mount Kenya, he plans to inspect projects that will multiply billions of shilling projects across the region, including a modern fresh produce market aimed at profiting small traders. However, his administration continues to face resistance from key political figures like Gachagua, outspoken in their criticism.
