- Rigathi Gachagua says President Ruto is attacking Uhuru Kenyatta to distract Kenyans from discussing government performance.
- The DCP leader made the remarks during a political event in Naivasha, Nakuru County.
- Gachagua insisted the debate on Ruto’s four-year record must continue.
- He told the president to leave retired President Uhuru alone and face him politically instead.
- The comments came after Ruto accused Uhuru of sponsoring rivals ahead of the 2027 election.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of attempting to divert public attention from his administration’s performance by attacking retired President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking in Naivasha, Nakuru County, on Friday, Gachagua claimed the president was reviving political debates around Uhuru in an effort to shift focus away from the government’s four-year record.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader argued that Kenyans should continue discussing the administration’s performance rather than becoming preoccupied with arguments about the former president.
“William Ruto, in his usual style, tried to divert the attention of Kenyans by attacking President Uhuru Kenyatta so that Kenyans can abandon that debate and start defending Uhuru and castigating him,” Gachagua said.
He maintained that the strategy would not succeed and insisted that the national conversation should remain focused on the government’s achievements and shortcomings.
“We want to tell you, you cannot divert the attention of Kenyans from the discussion on your performance for four years, and that debate must go on,” he added.
Gachagua also challenged President Ruto to direct his political attacks at him rather than at the retired head of state.
“Leave President Uhuru Kenyatta alone; he is retired and face your competitor Rigathi Gachagua. That is the man you must face,” he said.
The remarks are the latest sign of the deepening political fallout between the president and his former deputy, who have increasingly traded sharp public criticism since their split.
Ruto had accused Uhuru of sponsoring rivals
Gachagua’s comments came two days after President Ruto claimed that Uhuru was supporting politicians preparing to challenge him in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Wednesday, the president said he would not be intimidated by the “Wantam” campaign and argued that those allegedly sponsored by Uhuru lacked a clear agenda for the country.
“When you look at their sponsor, didn’t he fail to deliver on Affordable Housing, Universal Healthcare Coverage, and Education? Now he has gone to sponsor his protegees to come and compete with me,” Ruto said.
The president added that he was ready for a political contest based on policies, ideology and development records.
The exchange highlights the intensifying political rivalry ahead of the next General Election. Ruto is widely expected to seek a second term, while opposition forces continue to reorganise and position themselves for a possible challenge.
Gachagua has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the administration and has repeatedly accused the government of failing to meet key promises made during the 2022 campaign.
Analysts say the growing public confrontation between Ruto and Gachagua is likely to shape political alignments in the coming months, particularly within the Mount Kenya region where both leaders retain significant influence.
For now, the former deputy president insists the central issue is not Uhuru Kenyatta but the performance of the current administration, and he says that debate should remain at the centre of national politics as the country moves toward 2027.
