'Not me,' Ruto denies initiating plan to impeach Gachagua

President William Ruto has, for the first time, explained his fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, which led to his impeachment.

In an interview at Sagana State Lodge, Ruto detailed how their political alliance unraveled, citing Gachagua’s frequent conflicts with government officials.

“I sat him down and told him, ‘You are the deputy president. Why are you getting involved with them (Dennis Itumbi, Ndindi Nyoro)? just work,” Ruto said.

The president also accused Gachagua of threatening to sack members of Parliament who refused to align with him and criticised him for failing to support government projects.

“The deputy president’s main role is to assist the president. When I was DP, I defended government programs—roads, hospitals. I appeared on TV more than the president himself because it was my job to highlight his work,” Ruto said.

 “Have you ever seen Rigathi defend a single government project? For two years, he never appeared on any platform to speak about them.”

Ruto said Gachagua’s lack of support raised concerns about their ability to work together, further straining their relationship.

He distanced himself from the impeachment process, saying he twice tried to dissuade MPs from tabling the motion but was ultimately overruled.

After their fallout, Ruto claimed, Gachagua threatened to undermine his presidency.

“He told me, I can make you a one-term president if you don’t do this or that. I need Sh10 billion to speak to Mount Kenya people about politics.’ I told him, I will not do it,” said Ruto.

The interview came just hours before embarking on a  five-day development tour of the Mt Kenya region.