Rigathi Gachagua Says Kikuyu Community in Rift Valley Didn't Vote William Ruto: "They Knew Him"
- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua recounted his experience during his campaign in President William Ruto's strongholds
- He cited regions in the Rift Valley that reportedly did not vote for the president in the past general election, alleging reactions from residents
- Ruto's UDA party secured millions of votes in the 2022 elections, resulting in his victory and presidential declaration
Don't miss out! Join Tuko.co.ke Sports News channel on WhatsApp now!
Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has revealed the chilling silence he encountered while campaigning for President William Ruto in parts of the Rift Valley in 2022, an experience he now sees as a subtle yet powerful message from the electorate.
Source: Facebook
Speaking in a recent address in the US, Gachagua recounted how, despite making multiple visits to areas such as Njoro, Molo, Burnt Forest, and Kitale, his efforts to rally support for Ruto were met with an unsettling quiet.
What happened during Gachagua's campaign in Rift Valley?
“When I went to campaign for Ruto in Njoro, people just looked at me. I spoke to them—they didn’t clap, boo, or say anything, and I kept wondering. The Mt Kenya people in Molo, Njoro, Uasin Gishu and Trans Nzoia did not vote for William Ruto,” he recalled.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
The Democracy for Citizens Party leader described how the pattern repeated in every town he visited, despite passionately urging residents to back Ruto.
He claimed that in one instance, a resident questioned his understanding of Ruto:
“One person asked me, ‘Do you really know this man?’ I said yes. He asked, ‘Have you ever lived with him?’ I said no. Then he just said, ‘Okay.'”
Ultimately, when the votes were cast, the politician claimed that the residents in these regions overwhelmingly rejected Ruto.
“I went to Njoro nine times. What they knew then is what I know now,” he concluded, reflecting on the electorate’s quiet but firm disapproval—something he came to understand only in hindsight.
Since his historic impeachment in October 2024, Gachagua has become an outspoken critic of the government, frequently accusing Ruto of poor governance and revealing alleged state secrets.
He also joined opposition leaders in rallying Kenyans to ensure that Ruto serves only one term in office.
How many votes did Ruto get in 2022 polls?
Meanwhile, in the 2022 General Election, Ruto’s UDA party garnered 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.42% of the total.
This surpassed the constitutional threshold of 50% plus one required to win the presidency in the first round.
He also achieved at least 25% of the vote in 39 counties—15 more than the minimum 24 counties required—highlighting the effectiveness of his campaign strategy focused on empowering those at the bottom of the economic pyramid.
Source: Facebook
Did Gachagua contribute to Ruto's presidential win?
Meanwhile, in a past rally held before his impeachment, Gachagua, who had already begun criticising Ruto, appeared to suggest that Ruto's victory in the 2022 election was heavily dependent on the Mt Kenya vote.
He claimed that the support was secured largely because of his presence on the ticket.
Gachagua argued that without his involvement, the president would not have garnered significant backing from the region, and thus urged Ruto to show respect to the Mt Kenya electorate.
Will Kindiki help Ruto in Mt Kenya?
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has promised to do everything possible to consolidate Mt Kenya votes and deliver them to President Ruto in 2027.
Despite the growing influence of Gachagua and his DCP party, Kindiki has vowed to help Ruto secure a second term in the next General Election.
However, political pundits opine that the law professor would have a difficult task trying to rally Mt Kenya behind the president, whom they have openly accused of betrayal and vowed to send him home.
Political analyst Javas Bigambo said Kindiki lacks the political wherewithal to wrestle Mt Kenya voting bloc from the firm grip of Gachagua, who has emerged as the region's kingpin after impeachment.
He advised that Ruto's only option is to look for new voting blocs that would cover for the votes he got from Mt Kenya region in 2022.
Last week, reports emerged suggesting the president is actively looking for his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, to help him consolidate the mountain bloc.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
