Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has issued a sharp rebuke to President William Ruto, urging him to stop using retired President Uhuru Kenyatta as a political scapegoat and instead address the economic grievances of millions of citizens.
[In a public statement issued on Wednesday, September 16], Gachagua dismissed President Ruto’s recent comments, labeling Kenyatta a “rebel leader” who is allegedly sponsoring opposition factions ahead of the 2027 General Election. Responding to the President’s claims made during his development tour in Siaya County, the former Deputy President argued that blaming Kenyatta constitutes a poor political deflection tactic designed to mask administrative failures.
“President Uhuru Kenyatta is not your opponent in this election,” [Gachagua said]. “You are just trying a bad deflection. Poor tactic, Mr. Ruto, but we know you very well… 55 million Kenyans are your opponents.”
Gachagua stated that public opposition to the Kenya Kwanza administration is driven by rising living costs, heavy taxation on wage earners, healthcare disruptions, and commercial stagnation, rather than directives from retired leadership. He asserted that opposition figures preparing to challenge the Head of State do not require external financial sponsorship, pointing to recent political developments in Ol-Kalou and Embu as evidence of growing nationwide voter discontent.
Speaking from the United States during a diaspora engagement tour in Portland, Oregon, Gachagua further accused President Ruto of state capture and creating an uneven business environment. The DCP leader revealed that consultations within the united opposition are nearing completion to select a single presidential candidate to challenge President Ruto in 2027.
“The decision to vote you out is settled, and only one matter is outstanding to complete the picture: the identification of a single presidential candidate to take you home,” [Gachagua added]. “Very soon we shall let you know the man or woman to whom you shall hand over.”
State House officials have consistently rejected allegations of economic mismanagement, maintaining that government programs are stabilizing public debt and promoting long-term economic recovery.