Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has advised President William Ruto to stop lamenting over opposition criticism and instead concentrate on fulfilling his electoral promises. Rigathi Gachagua has wondered where President Ruto gets the time to listen to videos of opposition leaders criticising him. Addressing a congregation at the Gospel Confirmation Centre in Machakos on Sunday, March 2, Gachagua asserted that the opposition would continue holding the government accountable on issues such as abductions, extrajudicial killings, the struggling healthcare system, and economic challenges. “William Ruto, I have heard you complain that we talked about you for four hours. Why waste your four hours listening to us? When will you actually work if you spend time looking at videos of what we say?” he questioned.
What did Gachagua tell Ruto in Ukambani? He emphasised that their (opposition) goal was to remove Ruto from power to implement an alternative governance plan. He urged the president to accept scrutiny, stating, “We will keep talking until we achieve our mission. Relax and get used to it, we will sort you out.” Gachagua’s return to Machakos marked a shift in his stance toward the Ukambani region. Having previously dismissed its political influence, he acknowledged the community’s crucial role in shaping the 2027 elections. He expressed optimism about the opposition’s growing momentum, stating that while Ruto’s camp was losing support, the opposition was strengthening its numbers. “Politics is a game of numbers. While Ruto is engaged in subtraction, we are building a formidable team. Kalonzo Musyoka, myself, and other like-minded leaders will secure victory in the first round of the 2027 election,” he declared.
Supporting Gachagua’s sentiments, Senators Agnes Kavindu (Machakos), Enoch Wambua (Kitui), and Daniel Maanzo (Makueni) reiterated Ukambani’s commitment to forming strategic political alliances. Wambua affirmed that they were present under Kalonzo’s directive to welcome Gachagua in Ukambani, adding that their people were ready to unite and advocate for a new political direction. Wambua also emphasised that Ukambani’s political alignment was shifting, asserting that the region was not merely partnering with Central Kenya but was instead reclaiming its place within the broader Mt. Kenya South bloc. Rigathi Gachagua has advised President William Ruto to focus on delivering his election promises to Kenyans.
Ruto criticises opposition for lack of direction While speaking during a development tour in Taita Taveta County on Friday, February 28, Ruto accused the opposition of lacking direction and focusing solely on him instead of presenting viable policies. He remarked that some people were holding meetings and forming parties where they spent hours discussing him. He questioned whether the party they were forming belonged to him or was named after him, asking why their talks revolved around “William Ruto” for four hours. Ruto challenged the opposition to define their own identity and agenda, suggesting that their obsession with him showed they had no real plans.
by Harry Ivan Mboto
