NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 12 — Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of deliberately humiliating his successor, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, as the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition deepens political ties with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking Wednesday at Kipeto in Keekonyokie Ward, Kajiado West, during celebrations honouring the educational achievement of Ann Nashipae, an aspiring Woman Representative candidate for the DCP party in Kajiado County, Gachagua said Ruto was treating Kindiki in the same manner he allegedly treated him before his removal from office.
“Just recently in Naivasha, while Kindiki was sitting there, President William Ruto planned to humiliate him. He told Simba Arati to stand up, and Arati said, ‘This Deputy President seat belongs to us in ODM, and if Kindiki wants it, he should join ODM,’” Gachagua said. “Kindiki just sat there looking down.”
Gachagua was referring to the Joint Broad-Based Alliance Parliamentary Group and Governors Retreat in Naivasha, where Ruto announced on August 10 that Kenya Kwanza and ODM had formally agreed to work together as a coalition in the 2027 Elections. The former deputy president alleged that Ruto used ODM leaders to publicly question Kindiki’s position.
“President William Ruto, even if you have decided to fire this Soprano because he has no followers and has been rejected across Kenya for being a fake, why humiliate him? Why discuss his seat while he is sitting right there?” Gachagua asked. “Even if he is useless, he is still someone’s husband and the father of a child. Even if he has no supporters, at least he is a human being. Why humiliate him?”
Drawing parallels with his own experience, Gachagua said Kindiki’s treatment reminded him of how he was allegedly sidelined while serving as Ruto’s deputy.
“I saw President William Ruto doing to him exactly what he used to do to me. When walking on the red carpet, he walks with Oburu, while Kindiki is forced to walk on the grass,” Gachagua said. “You know, when President William Ruto wants to get rid of you, he does not tell you to leave; he treats you this way. Kindiki has not understood that yet.”
He recalled incidents involving Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi and economist David Ndii, claiming they had attempted to enter a red-carpet area while he was accompanying Ruto.
“He tried to do the same to me. There is also his ‘Standard 2’ boy, who tried to step onto the carpet while I was walking with President William Ruto, and I pushed him away,” Gachagua said, referring to Sudi. “Then there was David Ndii in Naivasha. He tried to come onto the carpet while we were walking, and I pushed him out. That is the disrespect President William Ruto was showing me, the same disrespect he is showing Kindiki now.”
Gachagua further claimed that such treatment was a precursor to eventual removal from office.
“So, Kindiki, when President William Ruto wants to fire you, he does not tell you to go. He simply pushes you onto the grass, brings in this old man called Oburu and finds people to insult you,” he said. “That is exactly what he did to me.”
The former deputy president said he had confronted Ruto over what he considered disrespectful treatment while still in office. “But because I was an elected official, I told him, ‘President William Ruto, stop this nonsense and this disrespect,’” Gachagua said.
Despite his criticism, Gachagua expressed sympathy for Kindiki, arguing that political disagreements should not result in public humiliation. “Even if he is not a good person, as a parent and a Christian, I felt sorry for him. You do not have to embarrass another man, even if you are through with him,” he said. “Why embarrass him in front of others?”
Gachagua’s remarks came a day after Ruto announced that Kenya Kwanza and ODM would formally work together as a coalition in the 2027 General Election, transforming their broad-based government arrangement into a joint electoral platform. The president made the announcement on August 10 during the Naivasha retreat, saying the two political formations had agreed to develop a common manifesto and jointly seek the Kenyan people’s mandate in the next election. Ruto said the coalition would seek to consolidate gains made by his administration while completing ongoing reforms and development projects.
The emerging alliance sets the stage for renewed political contestation within the government camp, with Gachagua using the partnership to question Kindiki’s political standing and Ruto’s treatment of his deputy.
