Kenya's Former Deputy President Directly Confronts Ruto at Public Memorial Service
Nairobi, 8 April 2026
In an extraordinary public confrontation, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua challenged President William Ruto face-to-face during a memorial service in Nyandarua County on 8 April 2026. Gachagua warned that whilst Ruto removed him from office, extracting him from Mt Kenya hearts would prove impossible, comparing it to ‘cutting through thorny bush with a razor’. The dramatic exchange revealed deep political fractures as Gachagua accused Ruto’s allies of misleading him and causing regional alienation. Ruto responded defiantly, asserting his presidential authority and dismissing claims of lost regional support, setting the stage for intensified political battles ahead of the 2027 elections.
Gachagua’s Direct Challenge to Presidential Authority
At the requiem service for late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho on 8 April 2026, Gachagua delivered a pointed message to his former boss, stating: ‘It is true, you kicked me out of office. But removing me from the hearts of this people will be an uphill task’ [1][2]. The former Deputy President warned Ruto that despite his removal from office, he could not be extracted from the Mt Kenya people’s hearts, likening the task to ‘cutting through a thorny bush with a razor’ [3]. Gachagua specifically accused Ruto’s allies, particularly Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah, of fuelling division and misleading the President [1][2].
The Mt Kenya Betrayal Warning
Gachagua reminded Ruto of previous warnings about the Mt Kenya community’s stance on political betrayal, stating: ‘Mimi nilikushauri rais nikakuambia hawa watu wa mlima hawapendi usaliti. I told you betrayal is not forgiven among our people. You chose to listen to Kimani Ichun’wah sasa hii jamii imekukataa’ [4]. The former Deputy President emphasised that he had counselled Ruto before their political separation, warning him to ‘tame those guys you walk with’ because they would eventually ‘dump you into a ditch’ [1]. Gachagua’s accusations centred on claims that Ruto’s advisers had created a rift between the President and the Mt Kenya region [5].
Ruto’s Defiant Presidential Response
President Ruto responded with characteristic defiance, dismissing Gachagua’s warnings and asserting his presidential authority. ‘Mimi siombewi ruhusa mahali popote Kenya; mimi ni rais wa Jamuhuri ya Kenya. And I’ll go to any place and I’ll do everything as the president of the Republic of Kenya and I’m not going to ask for permission from anybody’ [4], Ruto declared. The President rejected claims of losing Mt Kenya support, stating: ‘mimi naelewa nilipigiwa kura na watu wa Mt Kenya, I understand that; mimi si wazimu, mimi si mjinga na mimi si mlevi. I know what I’m doing’ [4]. Ruto emphasised his long-standing relationship with the Mt Kenya community, warning that no one should bring conflicts between him and the region [4].
Political Implications for 2027 Elections
The public confrontation highlights significant political tensions as Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election [4]. Gachagua’s challenge to Ruto’s authority in front of Mt Kenya constituents demonstrates the former Deputy President’s continued influence in the region despite his removal from office [1][2]. The exchange also revealed divisions within the ruling coalition, with Senator John Methu declaring he does not fear President Ruto and accusing him of failing to deliver development promises in Nyandarua [1]. The political friction was further evidenced when Kinangop MP Kwenya Thuku briefly removed the microphone from Senator Methu during his critical speech [1], underscoring the deep divisions within Mt Kenya’s political leadership.