Gachagua Alleges President Ruto's Administration Involved in International Corruption Schemes

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has leveled serious accusations against President William Ruto, alleging political manipulation, corruption, and breaches of pre-election agreements. 

In an interview broadcasted on KTN yesterday, Gachagua refuted claims he demanded Sh10 billion to promote the government's agenda in the Mount Kenya region, and instead accused Ruto of attempting to bribe him to resign from office. Gachagua, who was ousted from his position last October through impeachment, claims a senior government official, acting on the President’s behalf, offered him Sh2 billion in exchange for his resignation. After he refused to resign, Gachagua alleges that the administration intensified efforts to remove him from office. 

He says that the absence of any mention of the alleged Sh10 billion demand in the impeachment motion underscores its fabrication, claiming that his impeachment was orchestrated by the National Intelligence Service (NIS) under President Ruto's directive. Gachagua further claims to possess secret recordings of the discussions surrounding the financial offer, vowing to release them upon the retirement of the involved government official. He says this official repeatedly approached him, pushing him to accept the offer as a "retirement package."

The former Deputy President also alleges that Ruto sought a private meeting at State House, which he declined, leading to a subsequent meeting at a secure NIS location where the President personally reiterated the financial settlement proposal. Beyond the alleged bribery attempt, Gachagua accuses President Ruto of deep-seated corruption, including business dealings with Kosovo's leadership and co-ownership of a beach hotel in Mombasa. He extends these accusations to international affairs, alleging Ruto’s involvement in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he is purportedly aiding rebel groups in laundering proceeds from illegal gold trade. 

Gachagua further links Ruto’s falling out with former Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi to Muturi’s refusal to approve controversial government transactions, including the Arror and Kimwarer dams projects and a Sh129 billion tree-planting deal. Gachagua paints a picture of the Ruto administration as driven by commercial interests, claiming the President functions as the "chief procurement officer" of the government. He challenges Ruto to decentralize funds for local markets to county governments, implying that Ruto's reluctance stems from the financial gains attached to these transactions.

According to Gachagua, the rift between the two leaders began within two months of their taking office, when Ruto allegedly reneged on pre-election agreements. He also cites disagreements over security issues, specifically the alleged transfer of over 100 police officers to the NIS, which he links to abductions and extrajudicial killings. Gachagua criticizes the President for sidelining ministers from the Mount Kenya region by appointing principal secretaries who answer directly to him, effectively reducing Cabinet secretaries to figureheads. 

He reveals that disagreements with Ruto’s close associates, including Farouk Kibet and Dennis Itumbi, stemmed from their undue influence over government operations. He accused Kibet of attempting to turn his office into a hub of corruption and described Itumbi and Kibet as the real power behind the administration. Gachagua expresses regret over his political allegiance to Ruto, admitting to trusting the President blindly and claiming the Mount Kenya region was deceived. He warns that the people of the region would not fall for similar political manipulation again.