Betrayal. This is the reason former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua gave for the presence of pictures of him and President William Ruto in his home, despite their much-publicised fallout.
While speaking during a live show with media personality Oga Obinna, the former DP revealed that he still keeps pictures of himself with the Head of State as a reminder of the betrayal he claims to have experienced at the hands of Ruto.
“When he betrayed us and hounded me out of office, I made a decision for them (pictures) to stay there to serve as a constant reminder of betrayal,” Gachagua stated.
By keeping the pictures, the Democracy for the Citizens Party leader said they serve as a reminder to anyone who visits him and help him remain cautious about his future political alignments.
“So even when people come to see me here, I look at them very closely. Because when I look at him (Ruto) and remember how he betrayed me, I look for possible betrayers and I am very careful,” Gachagua expressed.
He added that the experience has made him more careful and measured in what he says to his visitors and in his public interactions. Gachagua maintained that the pictures would remain there forever.
Gachagua recounted his experience with Ruto, disclosing how much of a frequent visitor he was to his Karen home in the lead-up to the 2022 General Elections, where Ruto contested for the presidency.
“William Ruto was a frequent visitor to this home. My wife Pastor Dorcas has cooked for him many times, he was always here as he sought my support to become President. We took these pictures outside on the many occasions he visited me.
Looking back at his relationship with the President, Gachagua divulged that he did not see the alleged betrayal coming, adding that Ruto was a master of deception. “I did not see it coming till late. Aah the guy is good, deception, wow!”
According to Gachagua, Ruto was so good at deception that he even cried in his house begging for his help. This made him join forces with him out of sympathy.
However, he cited his failure to sign a written political agreement with Ruto as a major blunder that put him in an unwanted position politically during the time of his impeachment.
''I had no single document on the agreement. The guy would come here and cry real tears, 'My brother, please help me, I am a Christian, I am a good man, help me,' and out of sympathy, I said okay,'' Gachagua alleged.
However, Ruto in the past maintained that he parted ways with Gachagua over his propagation of divisive politics based on tribalism and seclusion.