Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has alleged that President William Ruto paid Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi KSh20 million to surrender his Amani National Congress (ANC) party, claiming that he personally negotiated the controversial transaction on behalf of the Head of State.
Gachagua made the explosive claims while addressing political leaders and supporters during the official launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington, Nairobi, on Friday, October 30, 2026.
The Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader claimed that he was present when Ruto allegedly summoned Mudavadi and instructed him to abandon ANC, which had previously provided the former Prime Cabinet Secretary with an independent political platform.
According to Gachagua, the President wanted Mudavadi to close down the party and join the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), with financial compensation allegedly arranged to facilitate the move.
The former Deputy President further claimed that he was personally involved in discussions between the two leaders and helped negotiate the alleged KSh20 million arrangement.
His remarks have reignited debate over the political realignments that brought Mudavadi and other Western Kenya leaders into Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2022 General Election.
They also raise fresh questions about the circumstances surrounding ANC’s eventual dissolution and its integration into the ruling UDA party.
Gachagua Reveals How Ruto Allegedly Bought Mudavadi’s ANC Party
Speaking during the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters launch, Gachagua accused Mudavadi of abandoning his political independence after allegedly agreeing to a financial arrangement with Ruto.
He claimed that he witnessed an encounter in which the President instructed Mudavadi to discontinue ANC and negotiate an arrangement that would facilitate the party’s closure.
Gachagua also questioned Mudavadi’s political standing, arguing that the former ANC leader should not criticise other politicians over their ability to establish political parties after allegedly surrendering his own political vehicle.
The former Deputy President narrated how he was allegedly brought into the discussions to negotiate on behalf of Ruto.
He said:
“Niliitwa na Kasongo nilikuwa hapo. Mimi sijawahi ona mtu mwoga maisha yangu kama Musalia. Alikuwa anatetemeka kama napier grass.”
Gachagua further claimed that Ruto instructed Mudavadi to abandon ANC and discuss the financial arrangements with him.
He alleged that the President wanted the former ANC leader to negotiate with him over the amount that would facilitate the closure of the party.
The DCP leader subsequently claimed that the negotiations resulted in an agreement worth KSh20 million.
“Sasa wewe Musalia umeuza chama yako. Mimi mwenyewe ndio nilinegotiate na Musalia on behalf of Kasongo. Hiyo chama Kasongo alinunua 20 million,” Gachagua said.
The allegations were made publicly during the political gathering. However, Gachagua did not present documentary evidence of the alleged payment or transaction during his address.
Gachagua Questions Mudavadi’s Decision to Abandon ANC
Gachagua’s accusations were also directed at Mudavadi’s decision to relinquish the political platform he had established through ANC.
The former Prime Cabinet Secretary founded Amani National Congress in 2015 after leaving the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
The party provided him with an independent political identity and a platform through which he pursued his presidential ambitions.
ANC subsequently became part of the Kenya Kwanza political formation that supported Ruto’s presidential campaign in the 2022 General Election.
Following the election, Mudavadi joined Ruto’s administration and was appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary, while the political relationship between the two leaders continued to develop.
The party later embarked on a process that resulted in its merger with UDA, effectively bringing its political structures into the ruling party.
Gachagua now claims that the decision was influenced by an alleged financial arrangement involving Ruto and Mudavadi.
His latest remarks also appeared to challenge Mudavadi’s criticism of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s political ambitions and efforts to establish a political movement.
Gachagua questioned why Mudavadi would lecture Sifuna about building a political party when, according to his allegations, the former ANC leader had agreed to surrender his own party.
The claims have placed the circumstances surrounding ANC’s dissolution back into the political spotlight.
Gachagua Reveals Alleged Agreement Between Ruto, Mudavadi and Wetang’ula
Beyond the alleged KSh20 million payment, Gachagua also discussed what he described as a political agreement between Ruto, Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula ahead of the 2022 General Election.
He claimed that the agreement contained provisions on senior government appointments and infrastructure development in Western Kenya.
According to the former Deputy President, the arrangement was intended to secure the support of the two influential Western Kenya politicians for Ruto’s presidential bid.
Gachagua alleged that Wetang’ula was promised the position of Speaker of the National Assembly, while Mudavadi was expected to become Prime Cabinet Secretary if Ruto won the election.
He further claimed that the agreement included a commitment to construct 1,000 kilometres of tarmac roads across Western Kenya.
Gachagua questioned whether the infrastructure commitment had been fulfilled, challenging the two leaders to identify the roads constructed under the alleged arrangement.
He said:
“Huyu mtu anaitwa Weta waliweka mkataba na Kasongo, ati ya Western Kenya, ati Kasongo akipata Weta atakuwa Speaker. Na Musalia Prime Cabinet. Alafu Western itapata tarmac 1,000 kilometres.”
The former Deputy President went further to challenge the leaders to account for the development promises they allegedly made to the region.
“Iko ata moja? Sasa my message wakija nyumbani, before wawaambie mambo ya Kasongo, ajenge 1,000 kilometres kwanza,” he added.
His remarks appeared aimed at questioning the political influence of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula in Western Kenya, particularly as the region becomes an important battleground ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Gachagua also urged residents not to accept political endorsements without demanding accountability over development commitments.
How ANC Eventually Merged With Ruto’s UDA Party
The controversy surrounding Gachagua’s allegations comes against the background of the political realignment that saw ANC eventually become part of UDA.
Mudavadi established ANC as an independent political party in 2015, using it to pursue his political ambitions and build support across the country.
During the 2022 election period, he joined forces with Ruto and Wetang’ula under the Kenya Kwanza Alliance.
The alliance brought together different political interests, particularly in Central Kenya, the Rift Valley and Western Kenya.
After Ruto won the presidential election, Mudavadi was appointed Prime Cabinet Secretary, while Wetang’ula became Speaker of the National Assembly.
ANC subsequently began the process of integrating its structures into UDA.
In January 2025, the two parties formally merged, with the political process culminating in the transfer of ANC’s structures to the ruling party.
The merger marked the end of ANC as an independent political vehicle and strengthened UDA’s efforts to consolidate its national political organisation.
The decision was presented by supporters of the merger as a way of strengthening political cooperation and consolidating the ruling coalition.
However, Gachagua’s latest allegations have introduced a different interpretation of the events, with the former Deputy President claiming that money was involved in the arrangement.
His claims have not independently established that a KSh20 million payment was made to Mudavadi.
Gachagua Turns Attention to Atwoli Over Sifuna’s Presidential Ambitions
During the same Linda Mwananchi Movement event, Gachagua also criticised Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli over his remarks concerning Sifuna’s potential presidential ambitions.
The former Deputy President questioned Atwoli’s criticism of the Nairobi senator, particularly arguments suggesting that Sifuna was too young or politically inexperienced to pursue the country’s top leadership position.
Gachagua maintained that age should not be used to discourage Sifuna from participating in the presidential race.
He pointed to the Constitution of Kenya, arguing that citizens aged 18 and above have the right to participate in the country’s political process, subject to the applicable constitutional requirements for particular offices.
The former Deputy President also used the occasion to challenge political leaders who have questioned Sifuna’s readiness to compete in the 2027 presidential election.
His defence comes as Sifuna continues to position himself as a potential presidential candidate under the Linda Mwananchi Movement.
The movement has attracted attention from opposition leaders seeking to establish a united political front capable of challenging Ruto in the next General Election.
Gachagua Urges Western Kenya Residents to Support Sifuna
Gachagua also addressed the political influence of Western Kenya, urging residents to demonstrate their preferred political direction as different leaders compete for support ahead of 2027.
He encouraged residents to attend Atwoli’s planned December 26 meeting at Bukhungu Stadium in large numbers.
The former Deputy President challenged the region’s residents to use the gathering to communicate their support for Sifuna rather than automatically endorsing the political position of other leaders.
His remarks highlighted the growing competition for Western Kenya’s political support, particularly between leaders aligned with the government and those seeking to establish an alternative opposition movement.
The region remains an important electoral constituency because of its voting strength and influence in national political coalitions.
Gachagua’s intervention suggests that the Linda Mwananchi Movement intends to strengthen its political presence beyond Nairobi by engaging voters in other parts of the country.
The movement’s ability to attract support from Western Kenya could become an important factor in its efforts to establish a nationwide political network.
Linda Mwananchi Movement Emerges as Opposition Leaders Prepare for 2027
Gachagua’s allegations against Mudavadi came during an event attended by several prominent opposition figures who gathered for the launch of the Linda Mwananchi Movement headquarters in Lavington.
Among those present were Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Democratic Action Party-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and other political leaders.
The gathering highlighted ongoing efforts to build cooperation among opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has emerged as one of the prominent figures associated with the movement and has indicated his interest in leading the opposition’s presidential campaign.
The movement is also working towards establishing its political structures and leadership positions as it seeks to create an organised platform for its supporters.
Gachagua’s participation in the launch demonstrated his willingness to engage with the new political formation, even as he continues leading DCP.
His criticism of Mudavadi and Wetang’ula also provided an opportunity to challenge the political arrangements that brought Western Kenya leaders into Ruto’s administration.
With the next General Election approaching, the opposition is expected to face the challenge of agreeing on a presidential candidate, building alliances and developing a common campaign strategy.
For now, Gachagua’s KSh20 million allegation has added another controversial issue to the growing political debate surrounding ANC’s merger with UDA and the battle for Western Kenya’s support.
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