Gachagua Claims Ruto Once Told Him He Aimed to Surpass Kenya’s Wealthiest Families

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has stirred fresh political debate after alleging that President William Ruto once confided in him about his ambition to become wealthier than Kenya’s most powerful and historically wealthy families.

Speaking during an interview while on his political tour in the United Kingdom, Gachagua claimed that the Head of State expressed a long-term personal goal of surpassing the combined wealth of the Kenyatta and Moi families—two dynasties widely associated with Kenya’s political and economic history.

According to Gachagua, the remarks were made during a period when he and Ruto were still politically aligned and maintaining what he described as a “good working relationship.” 

He suggested that the President’s ambition, in his view, later became a central influence on his leadership decisions once in office.

“When we were still in good terms, he told me that within five years he wanted to be richer than the Kenyatta and Moi families combined,” Gachagua alleged.

He further claimed that what initially sounded like an ambitious personal statement has, in his opinion, played out in a troubling way, accusing the current administration of mismanaging public resources in pursuit of political and personal interests.

However, these remarks remain unverified and form part of Gachagua’s broader criticism of his former ally as political tensions continue to rise between the two leaders.

The former Deputy President, who now leads the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP), argued that leadership in Kenya has increasingly been reduced to personal enrichment rather than public service. 

He insisted that the country’s governance challenges stem from leaders who enter politics with financial motivations instead of national interest.

He stated that the consequences of such leadership decisions are now visible in economic strain, rising cost of living, and public dissatisfaction across the country.

Gachagua also used the platform to rally support for the emerging opposition coalition, saying they would be forced to rebuild institutions and restore public trust if they assume power after the 2027 General Election.

He further emphasized that the opposition must present a united front, suggesting that discussions are ongoing among key political figures to determine a single presidential candidate.

Among those frequently associated with the emerging opposition alignment are former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua.

Gachagua claimed that unity among opposition leaders will be key in challenging the Kenya Kwanza administration in the next election cycle. He added that failure to agree on a single candidate could weaken their chances against the ruling coalition.

Meanwhile, supporters of the government have in past instances dismissed Gachagua’s remarks as politically motivated attacks aimed at undermining the presidency. 

They argue that his statements are part of a broader effort to reshape his political relevance after his fallout with the administration.

Political analysts note that such exchanges are likely to intensify as the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, with both government and opposition figures increasingly engaging in early campaign rhetoric.

Gachagua, however, maintained that his mission is to expose what he termed governance failures and to mobilize citizens toward political change. 

He insisted that Kenya requires a leadership reset focused on accountability, economic recovery, and reduced public debt pressure.