- Gachagua claims Farouk Kibet runs key government functions behind the scenes.
- He alleges that top officials report to Farouk, not formal offices.
- Ruto previously downplayed Gachagua’s clashes with junior officials.
- The DP says Farouk is like a “co-president” feared by Cabinet Secretaries.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lifted the lid on what he believes is the true power structure inside President William Ruto’s government—and it doesn’t look like your typical chain of command.
Speaking in an explosive interview on April 7, Gachagua boldly stated that Farouk Kibet, the President’s long-time aide, is no ordinary assistant. According to him, Farouk runs the show—and top officials are forced to fall in line.
“He’s Not a Messenger—He’s a Co-President”
Gachagua claimed that key state figures, including the Inspector General of Police and the Head of Public Service, take instructions from Farouk. He added that even Cabinet Secretaries don’t get direct orders from the President but instead receive them via Farouk.
“Farouk Kibet is not a small man. He is a co-president. Cabinet ministers, the IG, Head of Public Service… all report to him. They tremble when they see him,” Gachagua said.
Ruto Responds: “Why Fight Bloggers and Assistants?”
President Ruto, in a previous interview, addressed the friction. He claimed Gachagua was caught up in unnecessary fights with people who held minor roles—blogger Dennis Itumbi and Farouk Kibet among them. The President said he was forced to intervene and calm things down after the 2022 election.
“I asked him, ‘Why are you fighting with a blogger and a PA?’ You’re the Deputy President, focus on working for the people,” Ruto said.
The MPs Clash and Impeachment Threats
Ruto also revealed that Gachagua’s political tensions extended to Members of Parliament. According to the President, the former DP warned MPs that if they didn’t “kneel before him” by December, they would not make it back to Parliament in the next election.
That threat, Ruto says, triggered retaliation—MPs regrouped and started planning to impeach Gachagua.
“He started fighting MPs. He told them they wouldn’t be re-elected if they didn’t bow to him. That’s when they turned on him,” Ruto said.
A House Divided or Power Games in Play?
The ongoing back-and-forth reveals deeper cracks in Kenya Kwanza’s top leadership and raises questions about who really pulls the strings in government.
