Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that he has no regrets for having supported President William Ruto in 2022 despite their acrimonious fallout and subsequent removal from office by way of impeachment in October.
Speaking during a televised interview from his Karen residence on Sunday, December 1, 2024, Gachagua indicated that his short stint working with Ruto had taught him valuable lessons that will be crucial in the manner in which he manages his politics going forward.
“I don’t regret having supported President William Ruto; I got the opportunity to serve and to learn, and I am a wiser person, knowledgeable, and I have more experience and the mistakes I made then, I will not make them now,” Gachagua said.
At the height of his impeachment trial, Gachagua’s foes from the Mount Kenya region faulted him for having entered into a political arrangement with Ruto without a binding agreement.
During his submissions at the National Assembly, Gachagua intimated that it is only himself who entered into an agreement with Ruto based on trust while several other politicians including Senate speaker Amason Kingi, National Assembly speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Labour CS Alfred Mutua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi all had written agreements.
Trusted Ruto
“The only regret I have is that I dealt with President William Ruto as a Christian. I trusted him, I believed in him, and whatever he told me, I took it as the truth and acted blindly. Another day, given another opportunity, I’ll engage him as a politician and as a politician you trust nobody,” Gachagua noted.
Adding: “I am also happy that I served with him because I have also known him, and former President Kenyatta had told us many things and we doubted. Now I know…and along the way, the people of Kenya will know him.”
Gachagua took a swipe at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, saying he lacked the capacity to challenge the president as he is an appointee.
Gachagua on Limuru chaos
He vowed to proceed with his public engagements, alleging that the government was aware of the disrupted funeral he attended in Limuru.
“The family had requested four uniformed police officers for the event. However, no officers in uniform were present, and those in civilian clothes merely watched as the chaos unfolded,” Gachagua said.
He termed the unfortunate event in which politicians allied to him had their vehicles vandalized as an attempt on his life.
