President William Ruto has responded firmly to sharp criticism from his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua during a tense memorial service for Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho.
The two leaders who met publicly for only the second time since Gachagua’s 2024 impeachment In Nyandarua, clashed over politics, loyalty, and the future of the Mt Kenya region.
The former DP Gachagua revisited his ouster framing it as betrayal and insisting his grassroots support remains intact.
Ruto chose to rise above the personal attacks, steering his message toward unity and development.
“I will unite our nation of Kenya. We cannot accept people preaching division,” Ruto said, in what appeared to be a direct rebuttal to his former deputy’s remarks.
Gachagua had earlier challenged the President to reconcile with the Mt Kenya region, accusing unnamed allies of misleading him and singling out National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
He also stirred the crowd by asserting that while he may have been removed from office, his influence among the people remains unshaken.
But Ruto dismissed any suggestion that he needed political clearance to engage with the region.
“I will go anywhere and do anything. I don’t need permission from anyone,” he stated, drawing applause as he positioned himself as a national, not regional,leader.
President anchored his address on his administration’s performance, defending his development record and taking a swipe at leaders he accused of prioritising rhetoric over results.
“We will be judged by work, not noise,” he said.
Using the late Kiaraho’s political journey as an example, Ruto acknowledged that the ruling party had unsuccessfully challenged him in the 2022 elections, attributing the MP’s victory to his track record.
“These wananchi recognise work—not insults,” he added.
