I'm Not Tribal, President Ruto Labeled Me - Rigathi Gachagua

A File Image of Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of deliberately branding him a tribalist to justify sidelining him from government after their political fallout.

Speaking on Tuesday night during The Explainer show on Citizen TV, Gachagua said Ruto, once his closest political ally, had mastered the art of creating narratives to discredit opponents and protect his political image.

“Narratives are created in this country and my former boss is a master of narratives. He had a lot of nice things to say about me when we were getting along, but the minute we fell out, he labeled me as a tribalist to justify fall out,” Gachagua stated.

Gachagua recalled how, during their alliance, Ruto frequently praised him as a strong mobilizer, strategist, and a leader who cared for ordinary Kenyans.

“When we were friends, he had very kind words about me. He called me a people’s man, a great mobilizer, and a man who loves the people. But after the fallout, the narrative changed,” he added.

Gachagua accused the President and his close allies of deliberately perpetuating the tribalist label to weaken his political standing.

He argued that those now attacking him had once described him as a patriot when he supported Ruto’s bid for State House.

“I am saying the narrative has been driven and perpetuated by William Ruto and his supporters who are unhappy that I don’t support him anymore, since they have nothing else against me,” he said.

“I’m a man of incredible integrity with a proven track record. The only thing they can say is call me a tribalist.”

He further directly named some of the President’s allies, accusing them of deliberately driving the tribalist narrative against him.

“When I was supporting William Ruto, they had very kind words for me,” Gachagua said, adding that at the time he was often praised as the best guy they had ever met, a nationalist, a patriot.

He claimed that the change in tone only came after he shifted his political support.

“When we parted ways and I decided to support elsewhere, the only thing they could do was call me a tribalist,” he said.

Gachagua further challenged the President’s allies to back their claims with proof.

“I would like to challenge William Ruto and his cronies to produce a single video in this country showing me making remarks that are negative against another community,” he insisted.