” Respect Kenyans, you are an extortionist”, Ruto tells Gachagua

President William Ruto addressed former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of extortion for demanding money from DCP party aspirants, including charging KSh50,000 for a candidate to speak at a political rally. Ruto dismissed Gachagua's claim that he assisted him in winning the presidency, questioning how a one-term MP could contribute to the ascent of an experienced individual to the highest office.

Ruto revealed that during the UDA running mate selection process, Gachagua received only four votes from the Mt Kenya MPs Caucus. The President emphasized the importance of respecting Kenyan citizens, urging Gachagua to stop lecturing the people and allowing them to make independent political decisions. He also refuted Gachagua's claims about the Rironi-Mau Summit and the Bomas International Convention Complex, stating that both projects are currently under construction and nearing completion.

Additionally, Ruto announced a KSh1.2 billion investment to modernize tea factories nationwide, aiming to improve production standards and enable value addition for farmers. He promised to address disparities in bonus payments to tea farmers, acknowledging the existing inequalities between factories in the east and west regions of Rift Valley.