Gachagua to Ruto: You did not overpromise, you overlied
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of misleading Kenyans about the government’s performance.
Speaking to Kenyans during his USA tour, on Monday, July 21, 2025, Gachagua responded to Ruto’s claim that he did not overpromise during his campaign and that he intends to fulfil all promises made during my term.
You might also like
The former DP said that the president did not overpromise Kenyans, but he outright lied.
“I have seen you say you did not overpromise. I want to correct you, you did not overpromise you overlied,” Gachagua said.
Ruto on his promises
This comes after Ruto reiterated his commitment to delivering on his campaign promises, pushing back against criticism that his Bottom-Up Economic Agenda has fallen short of expectations.
Speaking on July 20, 2025, during the installation ceremony at the African Inland Church (AIC) Bomani in Machakos Town, he maintained that he remains determined to meet every pledge he made to Kenyans.
“I want to assure you that every promise I made, I intend to fulfil during my term,” Ruto said. Addressing accusations of overpromising, he added, “I have had critics on overpromising; it is not overpromising; we are raising our ambition as a nation.”
Ruto further stated that he has no intention of abandoning any of his pledges, arguing that his administration’s vision is rooted in belief in Kenya’s potential. “I must fulfil all that I promised because I believe in Kenya and in the ability of this nation to be better than what it is today,” he said.
Critics
Apart from Gachagua, several leaders have questioned whether Ruto’s administration can deliver on its ambitious agenda. Former Roots Party presidential running mate Justina Wamae, in a July 9 interview, accused the president of losing the trust of many Kenyans by making promises without offering clear strategies for implementation.
“He was telling people about a bottom-up economy, but he did not explain how they would pull their weight up,” Wamae said. She criticised the government for prioritising political theatrics over practical solutions, such as job creation and economic empowerment, while ordinary citizens continue to grapple with unemployment and rising living costs.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu, speaking during Ruto’s 1,000 days in office on June 11, accused the president of sidelining his allies and consolidating power. He cited the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua as evidence of betrayal, saying, “Ruto is thankless because he kicked out all his supporters once he got power.”
Lugari MP Nabii Nabwera offered a more measured assessment, giving Ruto a C grade for his performance so far. He pointed to the constraints of the 2010 Constitution as a factor limiting the president’s ability to fully deliver, contrasting his term with that of former President Mwai Kibaki.
