Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua criticised President William Ruto following his remarks questioning how retired President Uhuru Kenyatta expects to defeat him in the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, September 16, Gachagua dismissed Ruto’s suggestion that Uhuru’s failure to stop him from winning the 2022 presidential election demonstrated his inability to challenge him politically.
Gachagua argued that Ruto’s victory was not a result of Uhuru’s failure to defeat him, but rather his inability to persuade him and other Kenyans that Ruto was unfit to lead the country.
He said Uhuru had not sufficiently convinced him and a majority of Kenyans that Ruto lacked the capacity to govern.
Gachagua further told the President that Uhuru was not his main challenger in the upcoming election, accusing him of diverting attention from the concerns of ordinary Kenyans.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is not your opponent in this election. You are just trying a bad deflection,” Gachagua said, describing Ruto’s approach as a poor political tactic.
Also Read: IEBC Addresses Claims of Irregular Voter Registration at Kenyatta University
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader maintained that ordinary Kenyans were Ruto’s real opponents in the 2027 race, urging him not to mistake them for Uhuru’s political influence.
His remarks came a day after Ruto questioned Uhuru’s ability to defeat him in the next election while addressing residents in Siaya.
The President argued that Uhuru had failed to beat him in 2022 despite being the Head of State, questioning how he could manage to do so now that he was retired.
In recent weeks, Ruto has accused Uhuru of financing politicians seeking to challenge his administration.
The President has also singled out the Linda Mwananchi faction, accusing its members of acting under Uhuru’s influence.
