Kenya, Sept. 12 -- Gachagua slams Ruto as briber-in-chief in a blistering attack that has reignited Kenya's political firestorm, with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accusing President William Ruto of hypocrisy for decrying MPs' bribe demands while allegedly leading the charge in corrupting parliament himself.
In a fiery interview aired on Citizen TV today, Gachagua declared, "William Ruto is complaining that MPs are asking for bribes, but he is the briber-in-chief," pointing to what he called a deliberate strategy to buy loyalty through cash handouts and favours, a claim that has electrified social media and drawn sharp rebukes from ruling party allies.
The confrontation stems from Ruto's recent public lament during a development tour in the Rift Valley, where he bemoaned legislators' escalating "service fees" for approving bills, including the controversial Finance Act amendments.
Gachagua, impeached in October 2024 on charges of abuse of office and tribalism following his fallout with Ruto, seized the moment to counterattack, asserting that the president has no moral authority to rail against graft.
Gachagua accuses Ruto of orchestrating payments to MPs during his own impeachment vote and orchestrating the passage of the Finance Bill to secure blind support for Kenya Kwanza policies.
The former deputy, now a vocal opposition figure positioning himself as Mt Kenya's champion, suggested the president maintains "files" on compromised lawmakers, ensuring their compliance on key votes.
This exchange underscores the deepening rift between the once-allied duo, whose 2022 election victory propelled Ruto to power but crumbled amid protests over tax hikes and economic woes.
Gachagua's accusations echo his earlier broadsides, including claims of Ruto's business dealings with Sudan's RSF chief and his vow to dismantle judicial independence, painting a picture of a leader prioritising personal gain over national interest.
Ruto's camp dismissed the remarks as "desperate smears from a disgruntled ex-deputy", with State House spokesperson Dennis Onsarigo urging focus on ongoing anti-corruption drives, including a new multi-agency task force.
Yet, the timing, amid Senate probes into parliamentary ethics, has amplified calls for independent audits of campaign funding and legislative inducements.
Public reaction splits along regional lines, with Mt Kenya voters viewing Gachagua as a truth-teller exposing elite corruption, while coastal and Rift Valley residents back Ruto's narrative of unity against sabotage.
Analysts note the developments could bolster Gachagua's bid for a political comeback, potentially challenging Ruto's hold on central Kenya ahead of 2027 polls.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission has yet to comment, but pressure mounts for transparency in how bills like the 2025 budget navigated parliament.
As Gachagua's slams of Ruto as briber-in-chief echo through Kenya's corridors of power, the feud threatens to paralyse governance and erode trust in institutions already strained by economic hardship.
With Gachagua vowing more revelations and Ruto's administration pushing reforms, the battle over corruption's true architects will shape the nation's political landscape, demanding accountability to heal deep divisions and restore faith in leadership.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Bana Kenya.