'You don’t know us!’ Gachagua tells off Ruto as he dismisses rift with Uhuru

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has hit out at President William Ruto, dismissing claims by himself anf his allies that he cannot work with former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Speaking on Wednesday during the burial of former Kirinyaga Senator Daniel Karaba, Gachagua clarified his relationship with Kenyatta owing to the perceived fallout in the lead up to the 2022 elections, saying critics do not understand their long-standing ties.

The former Deputy Presdient ran down memory lane, recounting his history with the retired Head of State, emphasising that their relationship spans decades.

“I have been seeing Ruto’s people in State House saying that Uhuru cannot work with Riggy G. How do you know? Let me tell you, you don’t know us. The fact that we voted for you does not mean that you know us. In fact, you think you are part of us, you are not, you don’t know us!” Gachagua said.

“I have been a personal assistant to President Uhuru Kenyatta for many years and have worked closely with him for 20 years. This man came between us and we fell out for three years. Between three years and 20 years, which is more?” He posed amid laughter.

Gachagua further accused President Ruto of attempting to divide the Mt. Kenya region, warning against the fragmentation of the voting bloc.

He allayed fears of the United Opposition split ahead of the 2027 polls, maintaining that political differences in the past would not undermine their ties going forward, as he appealed to the Mt. Kenya region to remain united so as to mount a strong faction that is able to floor Ruto and his team.

“Ruto is trying to divide Mt. Kenya East and West, and that is why I cannot allow him because if he succeeds, we are finished. You know what happened in 1992, Matiba stood on one side and Kibaki on the other side and Moi passed between them. Our vote can only be useful to us when it is one,” he said.

“Let our detractors know that no one can divide this mountain. Nobody can come between Kenyatta and us. The former President, for the record, is my elder brother, kinsman, and my long-time friend, and those were politics of yesterday. We are in different times,” he added.

He underscored that the next General Election could mirror the 2002 transition, saying, “The upcoming election will be a 2002 moment. When we lost to Mwai Kibaki and we knew we would lose, we encouraged Uhuru Kenyatta to go to the ballot because of the future, to build his name.”

The DCP boss took a swipe at President Ruto over his public display of faith during the 2022 campaigns, reassuring that the region is now awake and would not be hoodwinked by such displays.

“I do not know what we will do about this matter of the Bible. For us Christians, if someone comes with a Bible and says he is saved, we say Amen. This man came with a big Bible… I blame myself for being lied to and deceiving our people, but then I console myself and say if bishops, pastors and reverends were deceived, then who am I, Riggy G of Wamunyoro?” He said.

“Bishop, forgive us. Nowadays, when someone comes with a Bible, we do not close our eyes because we have suffered for believing in the Bible.”