‘Idler with no plan’: Ruto hits back at Gachagua over drought response

Speaking in Garissa, the Head of State dismissed Gachagua as an “idler” and questioned his ability to plan or deliver development programmes. 

Ruto also suggested his former deputy’s focus was political, saying Gachagua’s agenda was simply that “Kasongo must go” — a phrase that has often been used to push for and end to Ruto's tenure in office. 

Ruto’s remarks appeared to respond to Gachagua’s recent attacks on the Kenya Kwanza administration, in which the former deputy president accused the government of moving slowly to provide emergency assistance as parts of northern Kenya grapple with severe shortages of food and water.

Gachagua has argued that the region has been neglected, saying residents continue to face worsening hardship. 

He has also criticised the scale of funding set aside for drought mitigation, arguing it is insufficient for the number of people in need.

In comments made earlier at his DCP party offices in Nairobi, Gachagua said the government’s announced allocation — including Sh4 billion and a Sh4.1 billion monthly expenditure approved by Cabinet — falls short of what is required to support an estimated 3.3 million people in need of food and water assistance.

He said the spending translates to about Sh1,200 per person, which he argued is below a minimum food basket benchmarked by the United Nations at Sh2,700.

Gachagua also called on Ruto to declare the drought a national disaster, saying at least 10 counties were in critical condition.

 He further alleged misuse of public resources, claiming that emergency supplies had been diverted for political activity and pointing to what he described as excessive expenditure in government, including spending on helicopters.

Ruto is expected to begin a three-day tour of northern Kenya, with one of the first events being a Nyota disbursement forum in Garissa County.