Rigathi Gachagua Reveals the Moment He Almost Slapped William Ruto as Deputy President
The political world still remembers the dramatic exit of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua from office in October 2024. Even two years later, one burning question lingers: what really went wrong between Gachagua and his former boss, President William Ruto?
Tensions Behind Closed Doors
Gachagua has been gradually sharing the story behind his fall from grace. And in his latest account, he dropped a bombshell: there was a moment he nearly slapped Ruto. Speaking at Nyamakima market in Nairobi on Monday, February 16, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader opened up about the heated exchanges that eventually led to his impeachment.
He revealed that he often confronted Ruto over policies he considered oppressive to small-scale traders and the people of the Mt Kenya region.
“I would raise my voice and bang the table whenever he proposed something that hurt our people. I was a strong deputy, and I never entertained threats or intimidation from my boss,” Gachagua recounted.
Standing Up for the People
The former DP wasn’t holding back. He directly addressed Mt Kenya leaders, many of whom are pushing to have Kithure Kindiki remain as deputy president during talks with ODM leaders.
“You had a very powerful deputy president who was elected by Kenyans. I was a man who told Ruto the truth to his face. If he banged the table, I would do the same. I told him you cannot oppress our people in Nyamakima and Wakulima [markets]. I told him you will be one term,” Gachagua said.
At the height of one particularly fiery confrontation, he admitted that he came dangerously close to slapping the head of state.
“We faced off with each other, and I nearly slapped him. I regret I didn’t,” Gachagua told the crowd, visibly agitated.
Why He Says He Was Ousted
Gachagua believes his boldness ultimately sealed his fate. According to him, his refusal to play along led Ruto to rally MPs for his impeachment and usher Kindiki in as his replacement.
He described Kindiki as a “yes sir” man — a leader without the backbone to challenge presidential decisions.
Ruto, on the other hand, has painted Gachagua as disruptive, insecure, and incompetent. He accused the former DP of bullying junior officers at State House, including Denis Itumbi and his aide, Farouk Kibet, and said he often had to deal with trivial disputes instead of focusing on national priorities.
Ruto’s Own Story of Almost Slapping Uhuru
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a Kenyan deputy contemplated a slap. In a prelude to the 2022 General Election, Ruto (then deputy president) admitted he nearly slapped his then-boss, Uhuru Kenyatta.
The incident occurred in September 2017, right after the Supreme Court nullified their election victory. Ruto said Uhuru seemed ready to quit and hand the seat to the late Raila Odinga, which left him shocked.
“I looked at him and told him I would have slapped him were it not for the respect I had for him. I asked him how he could just give up,” Ruto recalled.
Also Read: Peter Kaluma Begs Babu Owino to Ditch Sifuna Camp and Be Johnson Sakaja’s Running Mate in 2027
Rigathi Gachagua Reveals the Moment He Almost Slapped William Ruto as Deputy President