Former President Rigathi Gachagua has come out with fresh claims about what happened in the days leading to his impeachment. According to Gachagua, President William Ruto gave him several chances to step down peacefully before the process began.
He said the president even spoke to him directly, asking him to resign instead of being pushed out through impeachment. Gachagua stated that Ruto told him plainly that they could no longer work together, and stepping down would be more respectful.
The former deputy president claimed that Ruto told him, “I cannot work with you. I would like you to resign, and if you don’t, I will impeach you.” Gachagua added that the president tried to sweeten the deal by offering him money as part of a retirement package.
“He said, instead of you going home empty-handed, and since you assisted me, I would like you to go with your retirement package, and I will get you some money to get you started, like Sh1.5-2 billion, and I told him I am not interested. I am priceless,” Gachagua said.
The revelations have sparked political tension, especially since they come just as President Ruto was conducting a tour of the Mount Kenya region, which is Gachagua’s political base.
During his visit, Ruto appeared to strike back at his former deputy, accusing him of asking for Sh10 billion to control Mount Kenya politics. Ruto warned that he was ready to be a one-term president if necessary, suggesting he would not give in to political blackmail.
This public fight between the two leaders has exposed the deep cracks that led to Gachagua’s removal.In a TV interview on Monday, Gachagua gave more details, saying the president had sent a top government official to speak to him several times with different offers.
He said this started on the same day that the National Assembly passed the resolution to impeach him. Gachagua said he decided to record the conversation even though it was against his personal principles. He said he wanted evidence of what was being discussed.
He also claimed that the same official later asked him to meet with the president at State House or at a city hotel, but he refused both offers. Eventually, they met secretly at a safe house on State House Road controlled by the National Intelligence Service.
During that meeting, the official presented yet another offer, but Gachagua said he only pretended to consider it to avoid open confrontation.
Gachagua further stated that on the day of his Senate impeachment hearing, the same officer approached him once more with a new offer from the president. He refused again, insisting that he could not be bought or forced to go against his principles.
The former deputy president’s claims paint a picture of high-level power struggles and intense backroom negotiations. His decision to stand firm appears to have cost him his position, but he says he has no regrets. Whether more information will come out or whether this will be the last of their political war remains to be seen.
What is clear, however, is that the fallout between Gachagua and Ruto has shaken the political landscape, especially in Mount Kenya.
