The leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), Rigathi Gachagua, on Sunday launched a sharp attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of hypocrisy in the fight against narcotics and alleging that senior government figures are shielding individuals linked to drug trafficking and the so-called Minnesota fraud scheme.
Speaking during a church service at AIPCA Kiratina in Kiambu County, the former Deputy President questioned the sincerity of the President’s public statements on cracking down on drugs, claiming that alleged traffickers are protected within the highest levels of government. He challenged President Ruto to demonstrate seriousness by first taking action against members of his own Cabinet whom he alleged are linked to the drug trade.
Gachagua further alleged that individuals connected to the Minnesota fraud scandal have close business ties to the President and continue to benefit from government contracts. He claimed that the same figures were involved in the importation of duty-free rice, a move he said was hurting local farmers, particularly in Mwea.
In remarks that drew international attention, Gachagua referenced recent developments in Venezuela and called on the United States to take decisive action against those he alleged were involved in the Minnesota scheme, claiming that domestic extradition efforts had been blocked. His comments marked an unusually direct appeal to foreign actors in Kenya’s internal political disputes.
Beyond corruption allegations, Gachagua painted the Kenya Kwanza administration as disorganised and ineffective, citing delays in the disbursement of capitation funds to schools. He questioned how the government could promise funding for the current year when arrears from the previous year had not been settled.
He also accused the government of regional bias in school placements, alleging that students from certain areas were being excluded from national schools and instead redirected to day schools, while institutions in their regions admitted students from elsewhere.
Gachagua dismissed recent opinion polls indicating strong public support for President Ruto, branding them as fabricated and intended to reassure political backers. He insisted that his DCP party was steadily gaining national popularity and urged supporters to ignore what he described as misleading survey results.
Turning to President Ruto’s development agenda, Gachagua mocked references to international economic models, arguing that the administration had failed to deliver on core promises, including education and healthcare reforms, before invoking comparisons with global success stories.
He also cautioned the President against continued criticism of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, calling for respect for the retired Head of State and accusing the current administration of using allies to launch political attacks on him.
Gachagua concluded by challenging President Ruto to confront him directly rather than through intermediaries, warning that he had so far restrained himself from fully responding to what he described as sustained political provocation.
