‘I was calling for equality': Gachagua clarifies remarks of Ruto favouring Nyanza, neglecting Kalenjins

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has clarified his earlier remarks accusing President William Ruto of neglecting the Kalenjin community and taking all development projects to Nyanza, insisting his comments were meant to push for equitable development across the country.

Speaking during an interview on Ramogi TV on Wednesday night, Gachagua maintained that his statements were taken out of context and did not target any community.

Gachagua defended the remarks that he may have been segregating the Luo community, saying they were politically driven and aimed at ensuring fairness in resource distribution.

“Sijutii hayo matamshi kwa sababu sijaongea vibaya. Nimesema, Rais mlimpigia kura, yeye hakuji hapa, ningetaka aende Nyanza na pia akuje hapa, si ati aende Nyanza pekee yake, ata Mlimani yeye hakuji. Nilisema tulimpigia kura hapa Kericho, alienda Nyanza the whole Christmas, hakukuja hapa, sijasema asiende Nyanza, nilisema akitoka Nyanza akuje nyumbani kwa sababu hii Kenya ni yetu sisi sote,” he said.

The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader further dismissed claims that his comments were directed at the Luo community, emphasising that political competition often involves sharp rhetoric.

“Hii ni matamshi ya kisiasa na iko na malumbano kwa sababu ni mashindano na lazima usifu yule ambaye unapigia campaigns, kuhujumu yule ambaye unapigana naye, lakini hakuna siku nimetoa matamshi ya kuhujumu jamii ya Waluo,” he added.

Gachagua reiterated that his position was rooted in the need for balanced leadership and equal service delivery across all regions.

“The President should visit everywhere…I was saying he was imbalanced because he cannot abandon the people who voted for him, and so he cannot spend all the time in one region. He must serve all Kenyans equally,” he said.

“I did not specifically have an issue with Nyanza, and I was just giving an example at the time over the Christmas period because it is the only more time he has.”

The former DP had previously accused President Ruto of sidelining the Kalenjin community in development, claiming that more focus had been directed to Nyanza region as part of political realignments ahead of the next general election.

Gachagua, who spoke in an interview with Kalenjin journalists early this year, said the President had prioritised communities outside the Kalenjin for development in his hunt for votes for re-election next year.

“Rais alipitishwa na kura ya Mlima na ya Wakalenjin…sasa nikamwuliza Rais, kama tumesahau hawa Wakalenjin, walikuvumilia miaka tano, wewe umechukua kila kitu ukapelekea Nyanza, hutembelei hawa watu…ukija Kericho, Bomet, unakuja interdenomination...mbona hukuji kufungua project? Mimi nilimwuliza,” he said on February 21, 2026.

The DCP party boss said the Kalenjin community, despite having the President hail from their region, has largely been neglected.

“Hawa wakalenjin hawana mtetezi; wabunge wamenyamaza, masenator pia wamenyamaza, nani atatetea hao?” He posed then.