Gachagua Admits He Openly Defied Ruto's Orders And Felt Like A Co-President In Office

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a series of remarkable admissions about his turbulent time in office revealing that he repeatedly ignored President William Ruto's direct orders and believed he had the authority to correct the president whenever he felt decisions were going wrong.

Speaking in Nairobi during the launch of a book titled The Fight for Order written by former Attorney General Justin Muturi Gachagua said he was the only person bold enough to criticise Ruto to his face.

He told the audience that he rejected several presidential directives when he felt they were not right and that he viewed his role as more than just assisting the president.

"I was the only one with the courage to criticise President Ruto. I refused several of his orders when I felt they were wrong," he said drawing visible surprise from those in attendance.

He added that there were moments he felt like a co-president with the authority to oversee certain government decisions.

Gachagua recounted a tense episode during the formation of a new Cabinet following the Gen Z protests of June 2024. When Ruto announced the new Cabinet he said no one from Embu County was included.

Gachagua said he challenged the president on this and refused to accompany him to the public announcement.

"I asked him how we could escort him to announce names we did not know. I refused completely," he said.

He claimed Ruto was furious and entered his office then returned having changed Muturi's name replacing him with someone else chosen under the influence of Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Gachagua said he stood firm and told Ruto he would walk off the stage publicly if the new name was announced. Ruto eventually backed down and restored Muturi's name.

However Gachagua noted bitterly that three months later he was removed from office and Muturi was also fired shortly after.

He also revealed that during internal government meetings he would deliberately leave his phone in his office to avoid being reached by the president.

He said Ruto had a habit of sending ministers to deliver instructions to him and he used the tactic to remain unreachable.

Gachagua said he strongly opposed the Finance Bill 2024 that triggered the Gen Z protests telling Ruto the young demonstrators were not terrorists but children demanding to be heard. 

Ruto's allies have since described his admissions as proof he was a threat to the stability of the government.