Rigathi Gachagua has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto after being branded “uneducated.” The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader accused the Head of State of using academics as a political tool while failing to lead the country effectively.
Ruto Calls Out Gachagua
On Saturday morning, President Ruto addressed more than 10,000 teachers at State House, Nairobi. During his speech, he spoke about his experience working with his former deputy.
“I had another deputy who used to lament about his low level of education, and I was very sceptical that he would fail my administration,” Ruto said.
The President described himself as the most educated leader in Kenya’s history. He contrasted Gachagua with current Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki, whom he praised as “overqualified.”
Ruto added, “If you want to succeed, you put around people who are more intelligent than you so that they can help you to shine.”
Gachagua Hits Back
Speaking in Nyeri County later that afternoon, Gachagua dismissed Ruto’s remarks as arrogance. He claimed that the President was hiding behind academic titles while the country was struggling under his leadership.
“I have seen Ruto claiming that he is very educated and that I am not learned. He pretends to be well educated, but he lies, and he is also mismanaging the country,” Gachagua said.
The DCP leader went further to question the authenticity of Ruto’s academic documents. He claimed there was no proof of how the President obtained his doctorate degree.
A Growing Rift
This public clash highlights the widening rift between the two former allies. What started as a political partnership has now turned into open hostility, with education and competence becoming the latest battlefield.
For Gachagua, leadership is about delivering results, not papers. For Ruto, academic achievement is a sign of competence and vision.
The war of words is likely to fuel more political debate as both leaders continue to shape Kenya’s political future.
