Gachagua denies blackmailing Ruto by demanding Ksh10B
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has denied President William Ruto’s claims that he demanded Ksh10 billion to help him calm and change the tide in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking during a televised tell-all interview on Monday April 7, 2025, Gachagua argued that Ruto raised the Ksh10 billion claim to sell a narrative in the Mt Kenya region during his tour.
The former DP detailed that his former boss wanted to paint him as a selfish person.
“He cobbled this Ksh10 billion narrative to show the people of Mt Kenya that Gachagua is a very selfish man,” Gachagua stated.
When asked if he indeed he asked for the money he said;” Of course I did not blackmail the president.”
Accusation during impeachment
While defending his position, Gachagua indicated that if he indeed had demanded Ksh10 billion, it could have been among the first charges brought against him during the impeachment hearing.
“If I did, it could have been accusation number one during the impeachment. This impeachment was crafted by President William Ruto, the National Intelligence Service, and Professor Kithure Kindiki,” Gachagua stated.
Moreover, he slammed Ruto and his allies, accusing them of issuing contradicting statements on the said claim. Gachagua told a local TV station that both Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah and Dennis Itumbi had raised different figures.
At the same time, Gachagua dismissed claims that he demanded Ksh10 billion to recoup the money he used to bankroll Ruto’s campaign in the 2022 campaigns.
