- Gachagua refutes President Ruto’s claims that he constantly picked fights.
- Accuses presidential aide Farouk Kibet of running government behind the scenes.
- Claims Farouk gave instructions to CSs and tried to take over his office.
- Says he resisted the move and informed Ruto, who brushed it off.
- Denies threatening MPs; says he only cautioned them against blindly supporting unpopular bills.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out guns blazing, dismissing President William Ruto’s recent claims that he often sparked unnecessary conflicts in government. In an exclusive interview with KTN News, Gachagua said the narrative being pushed by the president is misleading—and hides the real issue.
Instead, he turned the spotlight on Farouk Kibet, a powerful aide in Ruto’s inner circle, accusing him of running government affairs and giving orders even to Cabinet Secretaries.
“Farouk Is the Real Boss”
Gachagua painted Farouk as more than just an aide—calling him a “co-president.”
“Ruto said I was fighting Farouk. But Farouk Kibet is not a small man. He runs government. Everyone reports to him—CSs, the IG, the Head of Public Service. Even Cabinet Secretaries take orders from him. They tremble when he enters the room,” Gachagua said.
He added that Farouk had at one point tried to manage his office and dictate how appointments should be made. Gachagua said he initially thought the arrangement had Ruto’s blessing—until he realized that Farouk was allegedly using the position to solicit money from people seeking access to the Deputy President.
Ruto Was Informed—But Ignored It
Gachagua said he reported Farouk’s conduct directly to the president, only for the matter to be brushed aside.
“I couldn’t allow it. He tried to run my office, give me appointments, and I resisted. When I found out he was collecting money from people, I told Ruto. But he dismissed it like it was nothing,” Gachagua stated.
“I Never Threatened MPs”
Addressing claims that he threatened to have MPs fired in December, Gachagua clarified that his remarks were taken out of context. He said he only warned lawmakers to listen to the public mood, especially regarding the controversial Finance Bill.
“I told them Kenyans were hurting. If you don’t adjust and keep supporting unpopular laws, the people will reject you,” he said.
Ruto’s Side of the Story
In an earlier interview on March 31, President Ruto claimed Gachagua had been embroiled in unnecessary fights with junior officials soon after the 2022 elections—including blogger Dennis Itumbi, Farouk Kibet, and MPs Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichung’wah.
“I told him, ‘You’re a DP. Why are you fighting bloggers and PAs?’” Ruto said.
He claimed that instead of stepping back, Gachagua turned on MPs and told them to “kneel” before him or face political consequences. Ruto believes this confrontation led to MPs seeking his impeachment.
As the fallout between Ruto and Gachagua deepens, it’s clear that the battle for the soul of Kenya Kwanza has entered a new chapter—one full of bold accusations, behind-the-scenes power plays, and bitter truths.
