In a stunning escalation of their ongoing feud, Kenya’s former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua unleashed a barrage of explosive allegations against President William Ruto during a live television interview on Kenya Television Network (KTN) on April 7, 2025. What began as a partnership that clinched the 2022 election has deteriorated into a bitter public clash, with Gachagua accusing Ruto of corruption, betrayal, and international misconduct. Here’s the story, step-by-step, based on Gachagua’s own words from the interview.

Early Tensions Post-Election (2022-2023)
The rift emerged shortly after Ruto’s September 2022 inauguration. Gachagua claims control of platforms like e-Citizen and Fuliza was privatized, alleging, “Anytime you pay via e-Citizen, your money goes straight to State House and into people’s pockets.” By early 2023, he says he clashed with Ruto over policies like the chaotic relocation of Wakulima Market traders and Nairobi River evictions—issues later used against him in the Senate. Gachagua insists these were principled objections, not rebellion.

The Farouk Kibet Controversy (Mid-2023)
Tensions intensified when Gachagua accused Ruto’s personal assistant, Farouk Kibet, of acting as a “co-president.” He claims Kibet issued orders to Cabinet ministers—who “tremble at his sight”—and collected payments by promising access to the Deputy President’s office, which Gachagua says he couldn’t deliver. “I told the President: give me orders directly, and I’ll obey,” Gachagua said. “But you can’t use your PA to command me.”

Abductions and Protests (June 2024)
By June 2024, Gachagua says he and Ruto diverged over the Gen Z protests, particularly abductions and extrajudicial killings. “Children are our flowers,” he argued. “You can’t kill them for raising legitimate questions—questions I’d raised with the President myself.” He claims Ruto later accused him of fueling the unrest.

Sudan Allegations (Late 2024)
In late 2024, Gachagua accused Ruto of stoking conflict in Sudan, alleging he and RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) smuggle gold through Nairobi to buy firearms. Gachagua claims his signature was forged to invite Dagalo to Kenya, stating on KTN, “The person responsible for Sudan’s conflicts is William Ruto. He should be sanctioned.” He added, “The real commander of RSF is Ruto, not Hemedti.”

Money Laundering Schemes (2024)
Gachagua alleges Ruto masked corruption with climate initiatives. He claims the Kimwarer and Itare Dam projects, costing 38 billion Kenyan shillings, were revived with Italian contractors in 2024, but Attorney General Justin Muturi refused to approve them. Gachagua says Ruto fired Muturi, calling him “very incompetent.” He also labels Ruto’s 15-billion tree-planting initiative a billion-dollar laundering scheme, halted by Muturi’s refusal to release Environment Ministry funds. Defending former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi, Gachagua insists he was framed in the fertiliser scandal, with procurement controlled by State House.

Kosovo and Personal Business (Early 2025)
In early 2025, Gachagua accused Ruto of co-owning Dolphin Hotel in Mombasa with Kosovo President Vjosa Osmani, suggesting Kenya’s recognition of Kosovo was a business deal, not diplomacy.

Mt Kenya Betrayal (March 2025)
By March 2025, Gachagua rallied Mt Kenya voters, claiming Ruto betrayed them. “You convinced us to fight Uhuru Kenyatta,” he said. “Now you’re praising Raila Odinga and accusing me of demanding 10 billion shillings?” He criticized Ruto for sacking leaders like Moses Kuria, Justin Muturi, and Mithika Linturi, replacing Kuria with William Kabogo. “Moses Kuria can’t advise Ruto,” Gachagua quipped. “He’s there for the salary.”
Recorded Offers (April 2025)
During the KTN interview on April 7, 2025, Gachagua claimed to hold recordings of Ruto, via a senior officer, offering him 2 billion shillings to resign—first in 2024, then before his impeachment. “I refused to meet at State House,” he said. “We met on State House Road.” He alleges the officer also recorded it and will release it upon retirement, refuting Ruto’s claim that Gachagua demanded 10 billion shillings.

Security Chiefs and Final Warnings (April 2025)
Responding to CDF General Charles Kahariri’s warnings against anti-Ruto rhetoric, Gachagua cautioned Kahariri and IG Douglas Kanja during the interview: “Be careful with William Ruto. He’s using you as political pawns.”
What Lies Ahead?
From corruption and global meddling to personal betrayal, Gachagua’s live KTN allegations depict a presidency in chaos. He promises recordings but has yet to produce them publicly. As Kenya reels from this bombshell interview on April 7, 2025, one question persists: where does this lead?