Gachagua Responds to Ruto ‘Petty Thief’ Claims with Land Grabbing Accusations
Politics in Kenya? It’s rarely quiet. But this latest exchange feels different — sharper, more personal.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come out swinging after President William Ruto allegedly branded him a “petty thief” who once stole relief food. And he didn’t just deny it. He counterattacked.
Speaking at Enesambulai in Narok North during the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) “one-term crusade” rally, Gachagua dismissed the accusations as nothing more than political theater. In his view, the President has no moral standing to point fingers.
He told supporters, “You cannot call others thieves when you have taken land in Kibiko, Murumbi, Narok town, Mau Forest, Lang’ata and other areas. When I become president, any land that was illegally acquired will be returned to its rightful owners.”
That line alone changed the mood of the rally. It wasn’t just defense. It was a promise — and a warning.
Relief Food Row Sparks Fresh Political Tension
The remarks from Gachagua came days after President Ruto addressed a NYOTA funds disbursement program in North Eastern. It was there that the President referenced an alleged past dismissal involving relief food.
“We know your record. You were fired from your job because you were stealing relief food. You are a petty thief,” Ruto said.
Short. Direct. Unfiltered.
Those words appear to have struck a nerve. And honestly, who wouldn’t respond to that?
Gachagua framed the claim as propaganda — a tactic meant to weaken him politically. According to him, the real issue isn’t relief food from years ago. It’s land. Power. Accountability.
And that’s where this dispute now sits.
Land Grabbing Allegations Take Center Stage
Instead of staying on the defensive, Gachagua shifted the conversation to land ownership. It wasn’t subtle.
He accused the President of involvement in large-scale land grabbing across several regions — Kibiko, Murumbi, Narok town, Mau Forest, and Lang’ata among them.
That’s not a minor allegation. Land politics in Kenya carries weight. It’s emotional. It’s historical. It touches livelihoods and identity.
By saying, “When I become president, any land that was illegally acquired will be returned to its rightful owners,” Gachagua positioned himself as a reformist figure. Whether supporters see it as courage or critics call it strategy — it certainly raised the political temperature.
And maybe that was the point.
Fallout Between 2022 Running Mates Deepens
Remember, these two leaders were elected together in 2022. They shared a ticket. They campaigned side by side.
Now? It’s open confrontation.
The fallout has been brewing for months, but this exchange feels like another level entirely. The language is personal. The accusations are direct. There’s no attempt to soften the blows.
At the Narok rally, Gachagua wasn’t alone. Several MPs allied to his camp stood beside him — Kathiani MP Robert Mbui, Kigumo MP Joseph Munyoro, Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, Kibwezi East MP Jessica Mbalu, Joe Nyotu, and other opposition legislators.
Their presence sent a message. This isn’t a solo fight.
DCP’s ‘One-Term Crusade’ Gains Momentum
The rally itself was part of the Democracy for the Citizens Party’s “one-term crusade” campaign. And the tone? Determined.
Kajiado North MP Onesmus Ngogoyo urged the Maasai community to rally behind DCP, describing it as a political home that guarantees their voice in national leadership.
It wasn’t just about defending Gachagua. It was about building something new — or at least presenting it that way.
Politics moves quickly. Alliances shift. Narratives change. But moments like this linger.
Because when leaders call each other thieves in public — and respond with land-grabbing accusations — voters listen.
And maybe they’re asking themselves: who’s telling the truth?
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Gachagua Responds to Ruto ‘Petty Thief’ Claims with Land Grabbing Accusations