Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has admitted defying President William Ruto several times while in office. He spoke at the launch of the book The Fight for Order in Nairobi. The remarks have sparked intense debate among his supporters and critics.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua opened up on Friday in Nairobi at the launch of the book The Fight for Order, written by former Attorney General Justin Muturi. He said he was the only one bold enough to criticize President William Ruto and refused several of his orders that he deemed incorrect. “I was the only person with the courage to criticize President Ruto. I refused several of his orders where I saw they were not right,” Gachagua stated.
According to him, he felt his role was to support and correct the president where things went wrong. He recounted an incident after the Gen Z protests in June 2024, when Ruto dissolved the Cabinet and tried to include opposition figures like Raila Odinga. He was shocked when the new ministers were announced without anyone from Embu, and he refused to accompany Ruto to announce the new cabinet. Ruto got angry and changed Muturi's appointment to someone else, but Gachagua opposed it and had it reversed.
“I told him if I went on stage and dared to announce the new name, I would walk out publicly in front of the cameras,” he said. He claimed he helped return Muturi's kidnapped child and avoided orders by leaving his phone in the office. He opposed the 2024 Finance Bill and emphasized that the youth were not terrorists.
After his removal in October 2024, Ruto appointed Professor Kithure Kindiki as the new Deputy President, stating on November 1, 2024: “I want you to be the Deputy President I never had in the past two years, obedient, hardworking, and understanding his duties.” Gachagua now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP). MP Mwangi Kiunjuri said the statements show why he was removed.