Gachagua fires back at Ruto after the president said cannot work with him

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence after President William Ruto declared that he could work with anyone within the opposition except him.

Speaking at his Wamunyoro residence during a visit by a delegation from the North Eastern region on Monday, August 24, 2026, the outspoken Democracy for Citizens leader said Ruto’s remarks were a good thing because, according to him, the president already knows why the two cannot work together.

Gachagua said Ruto’s position was not because he did not want to work with him, but because he knows that it would not be possible for the former deputy president to accept such an arrangement.

“Nimesema kitu mzuri, amesema niko tayari kufanya kazi na kila mtu lakini si Riggy G. Si vile hataki, ni vile anajua haiwezekani. Mimi siwezi chukua pesa yake,” Gachagua said.

The former deputy president further claimed that Ruto had previously attempted to persuade him through proxies but had failed to convince him to return to his side.

Gachagua maintained that he could not be bought by Ruto, insisting that no amount of money or persuasion would make him agree to work with the president.

He said Ruto’s declaration that he could work with everyone except him had given him confidence that he could be the leader capable of defeating the president in the 2027 general election.

MPs selling TSC appointment letters for Sh400,000 – Wetang’ula

Super Metro breaks silence over claims it ferried goons to disrupt Gachagua’s Kirinyaga event

I am going to be Kenya’s 6th president; John Mbadi

I went to Ichaweri, Uhuru’s office seeking his support but refused… Ruto

According to Gachagua, the remarks had also boosted his prospects of being selected as the United Opposition’s presidential flag bearer ahead of the 2027 polls.

He has continued to position himself as one of the key opposition figures seeking to challenge Ruto’s re-election bid, while calling for the opposition to settle on a single candidate to face the president in 2027.

This comes after President William Ruto, during an interview with a local newspaper, indicated that he was willing to work with other opposition leaders but ruled out any possibility of working with his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Ruto said he had already moved on from his political relationship with Gachagua, who currently leads the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP).

The president accused his former deputy of promoting tribal politics and perpetuating tribalism and hatred among Kenyans.

Mudavadi declares 2032 presidential bid

Uhuru Kenyatta still bitter over 2022 election loss; Ruto

I am not scared of the 2027 political battle at all, Ruto says

Drama as Gachagua denies Ngirici chance to speak in Kirinyaga