Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, on Wednesday, February 26, criticised President William Ruto over what he described as ‘attacks’ on his children, as he continues to challenge the government following his impeachment from office.
While speaking to media representatives from Ukambani, Gachagua revealed the challenges his children and family have faced since his impeachment, including intimidation, threats, and attacks on their businesses.
Lifting the lid on his family’s struggles, Gachagua stated that numerous attempts had been made to ‘cripple’ his children’s businesses in an effort to destabilise him as he fights to remove Ruto from office.
“My children have really suffered. Their businesses have come under attack. The owners of the buildings where their businesses are located have been subjected to threats and intimidation simply because they house my children’s economic activities. It should stop,” Gachagua stated.
The former Deputy President also lamented about the plight of his wife Dorcas Rigathi who was once a victim of a scary experience when she was forced to flee after suspected Mungiki leader Maina Njenga made an unexpected appearance at her church service.
Gachagua went on to challenge Ruto to face him ‘man-to-man’ and refrain from targeting his family, maintaining that he would not back down in his efforts to keep the government in check.
“If the President wants to intimidate or threaten me, he should do it directly and not go after my family. He should challenge me as a man and not try to get to my wife and children if he wants to throw me off track,” he asserted.
“I will not back down. I chose to be a patriot for my country and to save it from what Ruto is putting us through. My family understands this and will have to accept the path I have taken. We must change this country,” Gachagua declared.
Since his ouster from office, Gachagua has assumed the de facto role of Opposition leader, exposing the inner workings of government and the reasons behind some of Ruto’s administration’s challenges.
His actions have unsettled many within the government, with leaders allied to Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga—who has since joined forces with the President—launching verbal attacks against the former DP.
Gachagua’s stance has led to him being labelled a tribal leader due to his strong focus on the Mt. Kenya region, which has become increasingly polarised following his political realignment.
However, Gachagua has dismissed these claims, arguing that his efforts to collaborate with Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Alliance Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa, and Jubilee’s 2027 presidential candidate Fred Matiang’i demonstrate his national leadership ambitions.
