GACHAGUA DISMISSES RUTO'S GUSII TOUR AS POLITICAL STUNT

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed President William Ruto's four-day development tour of the Gusii region, accusing him of using the visit to launch political attacks against his former deputy rather than showcase meaningful development.

In a statement shared on his social media platforms on Monday, November 9, 2026, Gachagua claimed the President had little to show the people of Kisii and Nyamira, arguing that his attention had shifted towards him instead of addressing the region's development needs.

"He has no projects to launch in Kisii. His main project now is Rigathi Gachagua. A character with nothing to show to the great people of Kisii. Anyolewe!" Gachagua wrote.

His remarks followed a series of attacks by Ruto against the former Deputy President during a rally at the launch of the Riamoni-Nyangori Road and Last Mile Connectivity project in Kitutu Masaba, Nyamira County.

The President accused Gachagua of turning his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) into a platform for exploiting politicians seeking elective positions, alleging that aspirants were being charged millions of shillings for party nominations and opportunities to address political rallies.

Taking a swipe at his former deputy, Ruto described him as the "chief extortionist" and challenged him to respect Kenyans, questioning his moral authority to lecture the country on leadership.

He further alleged that Gachagua had demanded as much as KSh50,000 from aspirants simply to be allowed to speak at political rallies, alongside larger sums from individuals seeking political positions.

Ruto also dismissed claims that the government had spent KSh300 million mobilising residents to attend his Gusii tour, maintaining that Kenyans were capable of making independent political choices without being paid to attend presidential functions.

The Head of State also challenged Gachagua's assertion that he had been instrumental in securing the presidency, telling residents that he had personally campaigned for and won their support.

Addressing opposition politics, Ruto warned Kenyans against entrusting the country's future to leaders he accused of lacking a proven track record, a clear vision and a development agenda.

At Nyabite Market in West Mugirango Constituency, he cautioned residents against gambling with the country's future by supporting what he described as clueless leadership.

Defending his broad-based government arrangement involving UDA, ODM and other political partners, Ruto accused his critics of offering political noise instead of practical solutions to the country's challenges.

He also predicted that opposition formations built around individual personalities rather than shared policies would disintegrate before the 2027 General Election.

However, Gachagua maintained that the President's regional tour was largely a public relations exercise, arguing that the national government had failed to fulfil major campaign promises made to the Gusii region.

Among the projects he cited were a local airport, a functional cancer treatment centre and a university in Nyamira County. He further accused the national government of taking credit for development initiatives funded through Constituency Development Funds (CDF) and county governments.

Earlier, while speaking during a church service in Isinya, Kajiado County, on Sunday, November 8, Gachagua questioned the purpose of Ruto's visit, alleging that it lacked a substantial development agenda.

He claimed that Gusii leaders, including Governor Simba Arati, South Mugirango MP Silvanus Osoro and MP Japheth Nyakundi, had met the President at State House to coordinate the visit and its political messaging.

According to Gachagua, the discussions involved advancing narratives portraying him as disrespectful towards former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, which he claimed were intended to create divisions within the Gusii political leadership.

He also alleged that KSh300 million had been set aside by the government for mobilisation and logistics ahead of the presidential tour.

In a separate interview with Egesa FM, Gachagua criticised the government's historical engagement with the region, arguing that residents had previously been dismissed when raising concerns about development.

He also reiterated calls for opposition unity, maintaining that the political contest ahead of 2027 should focus on removing Ruto from power.

His remarks drew a sharp response from Governor Simba Arati, who criticised his political rhetoric and cautioned him against statements he considered capable of fuelling political tension.

Arati defended the government's engagement with the region and challenged Gachagua over remarks suggesting he would leave the country if Ruto secured re-election in 2027.

Meanwhile, members of the President's entourage pushed back against Gachagua's claims of an empty development agenda, highlighting government allocations towards infrastructure and education in the region.

Cabinet Secretaries Davis Chirchir and Julius Ogamba cited KSh11 billion earmarked for the tarmacking of 180 kilometres of roads in Nyamira County, alongside KSh500 million allocated towards the proposed Nyamira University.

The political exchange comes as both sides intensify their positioning ahead of the 2027 General Election, with Gachagua seeking to consolidate an opposition movement against his former boss while Ruto defends his administration's development record and broad-based political arrangement.