Gachagua denies rift with Matiang’i, accuses Ruto of planting moles in opposition

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed claims of a rift with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, instead accusing President William Ruto of infiltrating opposition parties with operatives to create divisions ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Speaking during an interview on Sunday, October 5, 2025, Gachagua claimed that Ruto, in collaboration with the National Intelligence Service (NIS), is using a strategy similar to the 1992 elections, where he claims agents were deployed to divide the opposition vote.

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“They are being used by William Ruto to cause problems within the opposition. When I was in office, he planted many people on me. And when I came out of office, I chased them away. Some have gone to Jubilee. So they are being used by William Ruto to create confusion,” Gachagua said.

He warned opposition leaders not to accept defectors who may still be working for Ruto, saying such infiltration weakens the movement.

“If some Ruto moles have left my party and you are in the united opposition, don’t allow them into yours because he will still use them to undermine the bigger opposition,” he added.

Gachagua cited the 1992 elections as a cautionary tale, alleging that NIS hyped the candidacy of Kenneth Matiba to split the vote and weaken then-opposition leader Mwai Kibaki.

“They created hype, planted people, and convinced Matiba he must run. They divided the vote, and the same thing is happening now,” he explained.

Also Watch: Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Plot to Split Opposition

He further claimed that individuals have been assigned to mislead key opposition leaders such as Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, and Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya.

“I hear they have promoted somebody to try to manage Kalonzo, another to manage Matiang’i, and another to manage Governor Natembeya, so that they can convince us separately that we can make it on our own,” Gachagua said.

The former deputy president also accused Ruto’s agents of spreading rumours that Kalonzo visits State House secretly to create suspicion within the coalition.

However, he said Kalonzo has been transparent with opposition leaders and has refused to be swayed.

“These tactics are meant to divide us. Our focus must remain on unity and sending William Ruto home in 2027,” Gachagua stated.

The remarks follow ongoing speculation about divisions within the opposition, particularly between over the best approach to selecting a united presidential candidate for the next general elections.