Gachagua refutes Ruto's Sh10 billion demand allegation

Shortly after President William Ruto’s interview at Nyeri's Sagana State Lodge, where he revealed details that led to Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment, the former DP has now responded.

Gachagua has refuted Ruto's assertions that his impeachment was driven by internal conflicts with State House officials and Members of Parliament.

In a brief statement posted on his X account on Monday, Gachagua also denied allegations that he demanded Sh10 billion to rally support for the president in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.

He accused the Head of State of misleading Kenyans about the true reasons behind his removal by Parliament.

Gachagua claimed that the president’s continued dishonesty poses a serious threat to Kenyans and serves as proof of Ruto’s failed leadership.

"The greatest existential threat to our beloved country is outright lying to the people of Kenya without blinking and failure by a leader to put his team together to harmonize their lies. I weep for my Country, Kenya," Gachagua wrote.

During a televised roundtable interview with journalists in Nyeri County, Ruto disclosed that Gachagua’s fallout with key government figures, including blogger Dennis Itumbi and MPs Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichung’wah, played a role in his dismissal.

Ruto went on to reveal that, despite his efforts to mediate the disagreements between his deputy and key government officials, Gachagua intensified the conflicts, eventually prompting lawmakers to push for his impeachment.

He further stated that his former deputy had demanded Ksh10 billion and threatened to limit his presidency to a single term if the funds were not provided.

“I asked him, ‘Why are you in conflict with Itumbi, my PA Farouk, and these young leaders? What’s the point of such minor disputes?’” Ruto remarked.

"Gachagua warned me that I would serve only one term if I didn’t comply with his demands. He insisted on Ksh10 billion to engage with the Mt. Kenya region. I refused. I told him, ‘If it means one term, so be it.’ That’s when the MPs turned against him," said the president.

In October 2024, Senators impeached Gachagua on multiple charges, including abuse of office and tribalism.

This made him the first deputy president to be removed from office since the adoption of the 2010 Constitution.