Kenyan Drama Unfolds as Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua Recounts “Persecution” at Hands of President William Ruto

Following his discharge from a Nairobi hospital, former Kenyan Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has spoken publicly for the first time since his impeachment, recounting the “continual persecution and stress” he allegedly suffered under President William Ruto. According to Gachagua, his security detail was withdrawn while he was fighting for his life, leaving him with no protection and vulnerable to potential harm.

Gachagua claimed that President Ruto’s actions were in direct contravention of a court order and that he would hold the president accountable if anything were to happen to him or his family. In his statement, Gachagua recalled the difficulties he faced over the past year, calling the impeachment vote a culmination of a year-long persecution.

In a scathing attack on President Ruto, Gachagua alleged that the president had never intended to work with him, only utilizing his mobilization capacity and reputation in the Mount Kenya region to secure his election victory. Gachagua believed that he was an essential pawn in the president’s game of power politics.

Furthermore, Gachagua revealed alleged attempts on his life, claiming that undercover security agents had entered his hotel room in Kisumu and tried to poison him, and that another team had attempted to poison food meant for him and the Kikuyu council of elders. The alleged attempts on his life left many questioning the safety and security of the former Deputy President.

The 11 counts levelled against Gachagua during the impeachment trial were dismissed by him as “malice and fiction,” a politcal game orchestrated by President Ruto to eliminate him. Gachagua believed his only crime was speaking the truth as the sole elected official in the cabinet.

The High Court of Kenya has issued a temporary order preventing Gachagua’s replacement as Deputy President, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama. As the situation continues to unfold, President Ruto’s office has yet to respond to the allegations levelled by Gachagua.

With tensions running high, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold, particularly with regard to Gachagua’s security and the outcome of the High Court’s order. As international attention focuses on Kenya’s domestic politics, the world watches with bated breath, awaiting the next move from President Ruto and the opposition.