Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that Ruto has been targeting him due to his influence in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking on Tuesday, December 9, 2025, in Ithanga, Murang’a, during the burial of Herbert Kariithi Macharia, Gachagua said Ruto is facing mounting resistance in key regions, particularly the vote-rich Mount Kenya area.
“Ruto na watu yake wanamulika mimi sana kwa sababu ya hii Mlima Kenya. Unajua hii mlima iko na kura milioni sita. Navile ninaona itaenda milioni nane. Na hii kura imeamua. Haijaamua itachagua nani, lakini imeamua ni nani itafukuza,” he said.
Gachagua warned that Ruto is cornered politically, not just in Mount Kenya but also in Lower Eastern, Western, Nairobi, and the Coast.
“Amejipata mahali Moi alijipata 1992. Moi had been cornered. Lakini akakuwa mjaja sana. Na sisi hatukuwa tumeerevuka. Akakuja hapa mlimani, hii kura ya mlima ilikuwa imemkataa yote, vile imekataa William Ruto leo,” he said.
He cited historical examples of regional vote management, noting that Daniel arap Moi carefully strategized in 1992, while Mwai Kibaki won in 2002 by consolidating votes across regions.
“2002, tukasema hakuna kugawanya, ndio Kibaki akapata 3.6 million, against ya Uhuru ya 1.8 million,” Gachagua added.
The former deputy president accused Ruto of attempting to divide Mount Kenya votes using proxies, whom he repeatedly referred to as “wheelbarrows.” He highlighted politicians in key counties allegedly working to split the vote.
“Ruto has got several wheelbarrows in the mountain so as to divide the votes,” he said. “I said that Kiunjuri is a wheelbarrow, I also said Kabogo is a wheelbarrow. He has a lot of wheelbarrows he is moving around. He has two in Murang’a, one in Kiambu, one in Kirinyaga, and even this one for Kuria.”
Gachagua also rejected claims that tribalism is Kenya’s main problem, instead pointing to corruption as the country’s biggest challenge.
“The problem with Kenya is not tribalism. The problem in Kenya is theft of public resources,” he said.
Gachagua underscored the importance of unity in Mount Kenya, warning that any attempt to split votes could benefit Ruto.
“Kwa sababu hii milioni saba, ikiwekwa ya Ukambani millioni tatu, ya Western millioni nne, ya Coast millioni mbili, si ameenda nyumbani. Ile kazi ako naye, ni vile atagawanya hii Mlima,” he added.
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