Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has lifted the lid on the emotional and calculated tactics President William Ruto used to secure his support ahead of the 2022 presidential race. In a revealing interview, Gachagua accused Ruto of betrayal and deception, painting a picture of a man who employed tears and emotional pleas to win over his allies.
Gachagua, who was once a close ally of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, revealed that during the heated political buildup to the 2022 elections, Ruto then the Deputy President frequently visited his home. The president would plead with him, often in tears, begging Gachagua to join his political camp.
“The guy would come here and cry, tears, Machozi,” Gachagua recalled. “When you see a grown-up man crying, you feel for him.” This vulnerable display reportedly softened Gachagua’s stance, despite pressure from his long-time friend Uhuru Kenyatta, who was backing Raila Odinga.
The emotional appeals were not just fleeting moments of weakness but appeared part of a well-crafted strategy. Gachagua explained that Ruto’s visits were frequent, involving emotional conversations and even spiritual engagements. “Pastor Dorcas even cooked for him many times. He was always here while he sought my support to become president,” he said.
Ruto’s pleas, underscored by claims of shared faith and suffering, ultimately won Gachagua’s trust. “He would say, ‘My brother, please, I beg you, don’t leave me. I have suffered, I am a good man, I am a Christian, let’s do it together’… crying tears, and I said okay, pastor, let’s listen to this man.”
However, what began as trust turned into disillusionment. Gachagua now views Ruto as a “master of manipulation” and a “deceptor.” He lamented, “I was betrayed by a man I thought was a good man, a Christian. The guy is so good at deception. He would come here and pray for us. He is in another class when it comes to deception and conmanship.”
Photos of Ruto still hanging in Gachagua’s home serve as painful reminders of that betrayal. “When I see him, I remember how he betrayed me in a vicious manner. Now, when people come here, I look for possible betrayers because now I am very careful,” he said.
This candid confession reveals the personal and emotional layers beneath Kenya’s political alliances, exposing the sometimes harsh realities behind public camaraderie and political partnerships.
