NAIROBI, Kenya July 19 – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed President William Ruto’s defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election was the inevitable consequence of what he described as the President’s betrayal of the Mt Kenya region, saying the loss reflected growing disillusionment among voters who overwhelmingly backed Kenya Kwanza in 2022.

📻 Breaking It Down

Addressing supporters at a church service in Kirinyaga on Sunday, Gachagua said he had repeatedly warned Ruto that decisions taken by his administration were steadily eroding support in the region, but his advice was ignored.

According to the former Deputy President, the Ol Kalou outcome was not an isolated electoral upset but a verdict by voters who felt abandoned after helping propel Ruto to power.

“Because this is not what we expected from President Ruto, he has betrayed us. He has turned against us and begun mistreating us,” Gachagua said.

📌 What You Need to Know

Drawing on his years in politics, Gachagua maintained that he understood the political dynamics of the Mt Kenya region better than the President and had warned him against assuming the region’s loyalty was guaranteed.

“People ask me what I know. I have 35 years of political experience. I told the President that although I may not have as much experience as him nationally, when it comes to the Mt Kenya region, I understand it better because I am one of its people,” he said.

He added: “Even though the people voted for him, he is not one of them.”

According to Gachagua, Ruto dismissed his concerns and believed financial resources alone would secure continued political support.

“He boasted that he had enough money to buy everyone. I told him that the people of Mt Kenya cannot be bought. They do not tolerate betrayal. Once you betray them, they abandon you,” he said.

He claimed the President accused him of blackmail whenever he raised concerns over the administration’s approach to the region.

📰 Source: Capital FM Kenya