Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has lashed out at President William Ruto after allegations that he has been demanding money from businessmen and politicians in exchange for party and political support. Gachagua denied the allegations in a statement on Monday, November 9, but accused Ruto of using traditional political tactics as he plans to visit Kisii and Nyamira counties.

Gachagua claimed Ruto will visit the areas with “scripted” speeches, in an attempt to win over local residents by learning the names of local villages and roads. He accused Ruto of using traditional political tactics during the 2022 General Election.

“Yesterday, I called you out for going to cheat my cousins in the Gusii Nation. Even tomorrow, I know the lies you are going to spread. The only thing you are doing is an old script of memorising names of villages and roads in Kisii and Nyamira. This is an old tired script you used in 2022,” Gachagua wrote.

He also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of failing to deliver vital infrastructure to the area in four years.

“In four years, you have done nothing for them. No roads, no water, no electricity, no airport, nothing.”

Gachagua claimed that political tactics would not make a difference and said “RiggyG is not a road in Kisii or Nyamira. Rigathi is not a water project. Gachagua is not an airport”.

Gachagua’s comments come after Ruto levelled accusations at his former deputy during political engagements in Nyamira County on Monday. Ruto claimed that Gachagua had been demanding money from businessmen and politicians in exchange for political opportunities in the DCP party.

Speaking during political engagements in Nyangori, Kitutu Masaba Constituency, Ruto claimed that aspiring politicians were being asked to pay to speak at political meetings organised by Gachagua.

He claimed that some politicians were being asked to pay up to KSh50,000 to speak at political meetings whilst others such as governors and leaders were being asked to pay millions of shillings.

“You are the chief extortionist. You were impeached because of it, and now you are frustrating businessmen and aspirants in your party,” Ruto said.

Ruto claimed that governors wanting to meet Gachagua were being asked to pay KSh10 million and others were being asked to pay KSh20 million. However, he did not provide any documentary evidence to back up his claims.

Ruto also denied Gachagua’s claims that people were being paid to attend government meetings, claiming that people were attending his meetings willingly. In addition to calling Ruto out on his development record in the area, Gachagua also warned Ruto against interfering with politicians looking to run for elected positions in the DCP.

Gachagua referenced a past incident where Ruto caused controversy with the family of his late brother, former Nyeri Governor Nderitu Gachagua. He warned Ruto that if he continued to target DCP politicians then he may face another public incident.

“Leave DCP aspirants alone, or you will get another egg in the face, just like when you tried to con the widow and children of my late brother, Governor Gachagua.”

Gachagua also claimed that he will ramp up his political attacks on Ruto ahead of the August 10, 2027 General Election. He claimed that his political engagements in Ol Kalou, Nyandarua County were a trial run for his political strategy.

“I told you in advance that I would teach you real politics. The half dose I gave you in Ol Kalou was just a dress rehearsal. I am preparing the full dose to administer intravenously on 10th August 2027,” Gachagua said.

He added that they would use their “Ol Kalou strategy” in all 290 constituencies and claimed the government may be trying to abuse state institutions to sway the next election. The latest clash brings the two leaders’ claims about funding, party and development promises back into the spotlight as political activity ramps up ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Whilst Ruto has made claims that Gachagua is extorting money, the DCP leader has mainly targeted Ruto’s record in the Gusii area and warned him against targeting politicians looking to run under his party’s ticket.