Ruto tears into Gachagua over treatment of young politicians

President William Ruto has harshly criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, comparing him to the biblical King Herod. Ruto accused Gachagua of intimidating and obstructing young politicians, urging him to stop fighting emerging leaders and allowing them to rise through the ranks of leadership. During his development tour in Kisii County, Ruto vowed to support young politicians as they build their careers, cautioning veteran leaders to prepare for retirement and create opportunities for their successors.

This exchange highlights the escalating political rivalry between Ruto and Gachagua, with the latter now a vocal critic of the administration and positioning himself as a strong opponent in the 2027 General Election. Ruto framed the upcoming election as a contest between his administration's development record and the opposition's reliance on slogans, insults, and personal attacks.

He cautioned critics to present viable alternatives instead of focusing on attacking his government. Ruto also dismissed emerging opposition alliances, describing them as tribal arrangements lacking a national agenda. The Kisii Governor, Simba Arati, joined the attack on Gachagua, accusing him of promoting tribal politics and questioning his commitment to Kenya, citing his reported intention to relocate to Texas if things go wrong in the next election.

The Abagusii community, which has benefited from Ruto's administration's development projects, has pledged its support for Ruto's re-election bid in 2027.