Gachagua Makes Plea To Ruto Over His Children

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Wednesday, February 26 appealed to President William Ruto to cease what he referred to as "attacks" on his children, as he persisted in opposing the government after his removal from office.

Gachagua was addressing media representatives from Ukambani where he opened up on the difficulties his children and family have encountered since his impeachment, such as intimidation, threats, and assaults on their businesses.

Revealing his family's hardships, Gachagua claimed that multiple efforts had been made to undermine his children’s businesses in a bid to weaken him as he strives to oust Ruto from office.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Pastor Dorcas Rigathi with their children at their home on November 1, 2024. /RIGATHI GACHAGUA

“My children have really suffered. Their businesses have come under attack. The owners of the buildings where their businesses are located have been subjected to threats and intimidation simply because they house my children’s economic activities. It should stop,” Gachagua stated.

The former Deputy President also expressed concern over his wife, Dorcas Rigathi's ordeal, recalling a frightening incident where she was forced to flee after suspected Mungiki leader Maina Njenga unexpectedly showed up at her church service.

Gachagua then urged Ruto to confront him directly rather than targeting his family, asserting that he would not relent in his mission to hold the government accountable.

“If the President wants to intimidate or threaten me, he should do it directly and not go after my family. He should challenge me as a man and not try to get to my wife and children if he wants to throw me off track,” he asserted.

“I will not back down. I chose to be a patriot for my country and to save it from what Ruto is putting us through. My family understands this and will have to accept the path I have taken. We must change this country."

Since his removal from office, Gachagua has taken on the unofficial role of Opposition leader, shedding light on the government's inner workings and the factors contributing to challenges within Ruto’s administration.

His actions have rattled many in the government, prompting verbal attacks from leaders aligned with Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who has since allied with the President.

On his possible partnership with Raila ahead of the 2027 general elections, Gachagua revealed that he was open to forming the next government with him, assuring that he has not closed political doors on a possible partnership.

However, Gachagua clarified that working with the former Prime Minister was not a requirement, as Odinga was free to decide his stance in the political landscape. He further stated that if Odinga chose to align with the President in pushing what he termed as oppressive policies, it would be entirely his own decision.

"If our Gen Z children, who are not with him (Ruto), decide to turn out and vote, we will defeat him, even if he is with Raila. It will be upon him (Raila) to decide—if he chooses to stand with Kenyans, he will come so that we can have a sit-down and agree on some things," Gachagua stated.

"If he wants to go ahead and cooperate with William Ruto, who has been abandoned by the people, then we have no problem with that. We have a plan, and we have listened to Kenyans who are looking up to us."