President William Ruto yesterday attacked former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of suppressing democratic rights of Mt Kenya residents. He called Gachagua a dictator worse than colonizers and slave traders. The remarks came at Rubate Teachers College in Tharaka-Nithi County.
President William Ruto spoke at Rubate Teachers College in Tharaka-Nithi County, referring to Rigathi Gachagua as a dictator. He described Gachagua as worse than colonizers and slave traders, accusing him of trying to control citizens' lives. "There are leaders who think they know everything and can control our lives. In the past we had slave traders and colonizers, but they had some restraint. Some leaders today have surpassed them," Ruto said.
Ruto stated he would not yield to political pressure from Gachagua and no one would stop him from fulfilling his duties anywhere. He emphasized working to spread development across all areas regardless of votes. He accused Gachagua of wanting to decide who meets whom and labeling others traitors.
He was accompanied by Prof. Kithure Kindiki, Tharaka-Nithi Governor Muthomi Njuki, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, Embu's Cecily Mbarire, and Lands Minister Alice Wahome. Ruto praised Kindiki as a better deputy president than he himself had been, noting his responsibility even under retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Prof. Kindiki criticized Gachagua for declaring himself Mt Kenya leader without results. "You don't declare yourself leader because your work gives you respect," Kindiki said, adding leadership would be decided by voters in 2027. Ruto dismissed opponents as full of insults and arrogance without a performance record.