Ichung’wah hits back at Gachagua over response to Ruto’s Ksh10B blackmail deal
National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over his response to President William Ruto’s Ksh10 billion blackmail claim.
In a statement, Gachagua who had been accused of demanding Ksh10 billion to sway votes in the central region, strongly refuted the claims asserting that pathological lying is a mental disorder which poses a serious threat to the country.
The former DP went on to accuse his former boss of spreading misinformation without hesitation nor remorse.
In a subsequent rejoinder, Ichung’wah, told off the former DP stating; ”True. If you still tell lies, believe in your own lies and expect people to believe in your lies. Utapona tu ndugu.”
Ruto’s revelation
Ruto on Monday, March 31, 2025, revealed information about the bitter fall out between him and Gachagua.
Speaking during a joint media interview at Sagana State Lodge ahead of his much-anticipated weeklong Mt Kenya tour, the head of state revealed that Gachagua demanded Ksh10 billion to help change the tide in the vote-rich central region.
He went on to state that the former DP even threatened to make him a one-term president if he failed to honour his demand.
He, however, detailed that he did not heed the demand, leading to the escalating fallout with the former second in command, which he claimed was a culmination of the brewing discord with MPs, his assistant Farouk Kibet, and even digital strategist Dennis Itumbi.
”Ikanifikia mimi, unajua mimi (Rigathi) naweza kukufanya one term president, nahitaji bilioni kumi ndio niende niongee na watu wa mlimani nikupangie siasa. I said I will not do it. Kama wewe ndio kuamua one term, amua vile unataka,” Ruto stated at the interview.
Which loosely translates to: ”Gachagua told me that I would be a one-term president if I did not meet certain conditions. He asked for Ksh10 billion to talk to the Mt Kenya region. I told him I would not do it. I told him if it’s one term, it’s okay if you’re the one to decide.”
He also discussed the poor relationship characterised by internal conflicts and divergent leadership styles that existed between him and Gachagua.
Ruto claims that the conflict started as soon as they took office and that their working relationship was dominated by endless disputes and scandals.
