Aaron Cheruiyot Claims Gachagua Didn't Contribute to Ruto's Campaign: "Hakutoa Bob"
- Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot claimed Rigathi Gachagua contributed nothing financially to William Ruto's 2022 presidential campaign
- He accused the former deputy president of failing to understand key political strategies and being an ineffective administrator
- Cheruiyot further accused Gachagua of only relying on sympathy and rhetoric rather than actual leadership, explaining why the former DP often invoked Uhuru Kenyatta's name
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot has made explosive claims about former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua's role in the 2022 presidential campaign.
Source: UGC
Cheruiyot alleged that Gachagua neither financed nor meaningfully contributed to the Kenya Kwanza efforts that brought President William Ruto to power.
Speaking in a recent interview on the digital platform Mufasa Show, Cheruiyot described Gachagua as a passive participant who rode on the efforts and resources of others without lifting a finger.
"The guy never contributed even one bob," Cheruiyot said. "Even when he was named Ruto’s running mate, he would wake up and find the choppers and cars ready. He would just hop in, talk all day, and come back without knowing how anything was paid for."
Who paid Gachagua's bills during campaign?
The senator further recalled instances during the campaign trail where Gachagua would reportedly avoid paying even for his own tea at hotels.
"Even when we went for tea, he would tell me, 'Senator, pay for me. I would have paid but Uhuru closed my accounts'," Cheruiyot alleged.
He mocked Gachagua’s oft-repeated claim that former President Uhuru Kenyatta froze his bank accounts, rendering him financially incapable.
Cheruiyot accused the former deputy president of misleading his political base in Mt Kenya, claiming he exaggerated his influence over the region’s voters.
He pointed out that despite a strong United Democratic Alliance (UDA) wave in the region, Raila Odinga still managed to secure over one million votes there.
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"That’s a very liberated community. It is a fallacy to imagine that he commands such a following," Cheruiyot said.
He went on to describe Gachagua as lacking depth and strategy, alleging that he is often unable to engage in substantive political discussions.
"He is herding the people who follow him straight into a ditch. People will desert him because the guy has no plan. He is a graduate of the Ruto school of politics, and I can tell you, he is one of the dumbest," the senator claimed bluntly.
Source: Facebook
Aaron Cheruiyot tears into Gachagua
According to Cheruiyot, Gachagua often appeared disinterested during high-level meetings, choosing instead to scroll through Facebook on his phone.
During the campaign, he allegedly waited until events were fully organised before appearing on the road shows to insult political opponents.
"You would wonder whether he had no point or just did not understand what we were talking about. After serious politicians presented our manifesto, he would grab the microphone and start abusing Uhuru Kenyatta," Cheruiyot claimed.
The senator did not spare the opposition either. He described leaders in the United Opposition coalition as lacking ideas and focused solely on removing Ruto without offering an alternative vision.
"Take Kalonzo Musyoka, for instance. Give him one minute and tell him to speak about agriculture. Or Gachagua on public health. They cannot even talk for two minutes. They are so reckless," Cheruiyot said.
In a final dig, he criticised Ruto for inadvertently helping the opposition by constantly commenting on their lack of agenda.
"You know the problem with Ruto is that he always gives hints to his opponents about an exam they are about to do," he concluded.
Did Sudi fund Gachagua’s campaign?
In April, Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi dismissed claims that Gachagua was chosen as Ruto’s running mate in 2022 because of financial influence.
He stated that Gachagua was actually facing financial challenges at the time of the campaign.
According to Sudi, the decision to pick Gachagua was based on strategic factors, including his age and perceived maturity, which were seen as assets during the highly competitive election period. He downplayed the role of wealth in the selection process.
He also revealed that Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro had been a strong contender for the position. However, public perception and concerns about youthfulness reportedly tipped the scales in favour of Gachagua.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
