Gachagua: I Almost Slapped Ruto at the Airport
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently shared a surprising story about a tense moment he had with President William Ruto, revealing that he nearly slapped him just days before an impeachment motion was brought against Ruto.
During an interview on Friday, February 20, Gachagua recounted how Ruto publicly reprimanded him at the airport while he was seeing him off to China. He described how their disagreement escalated, and at one point, he seriously considered giving Ruto a slap right in front of Chief of Defence Forces, Charles Kahariri.
“We were at the airport alongside CDF Kahariri, Chief of Staff Felix Kosgei and other leaders when he started insulting me, making unprintable remarks.
“I asked him why he opted to do so in front of them instead of calling me aside and solving the issues man-to-man. I am older than him by a year and therefore demand respect from him because I am also a leader,” he stated.
Gachagua was addressing questions from media representatives in the Rift Valley region, who were curious about why his close relationship with the Head of State seemed to end on a sour note.
The leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party hinted that the tension between him and his former boss stemmed from a lack of respect shown by Ruto’s close associates.
He specifically called out Farouk Kibet and Oscar Sudi, the MP from Kapseret, accusing Ruto of backing them even though they were leading him down the wrong path.
Gachagua even shared an audio clip of a conversation with Sudi, where the MP openly insulted him.
The former Deputy President also took a moment to express his concerns about Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, claiming that Ruto had appointed someone inexperienced instead of choosing a seasoned politician for the role.
“Murkomen does not understand himself and is very incompetent. He has not matured mentally.
“The Interior Ministry needs a mature person. We have had the likes of George Sitoti, John Michuki and Joseph Nkaiseri who made mature decisions,” Gachagua stated.
The ex-DP added that Murkomen should have resigned over the security breach in Wajir.
“We know the area is synonymous with terrorist attacks. What if it were a suicide bomber who approached the President?” He posed.
Kenya’s former Deputy President emphasized that he holds no ill feelings towards the Kalenjin community as a whole, but rather just one individual: William Ruto.
Gachagua: I Almost Slapped Ruto at the Airport
