Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto, accusing him of hypocrisy and betrayal following the president’s recent handshake with Gideon Moi and his renewed ties with KANU leaders.
Speaking during the Wiper Party National Delegates Conference (NDC) on Friday, October 10, 2025, Gachagua claimed that Ruto had abandoned the “hustler vs. dynasty” ideology that propelled him to power and instead aligned himself with the very political elites he once condemned.
“Ruto once approached us with the Bible to convince us. He deceived us with talk of hustlers versus dynasties — saying the Kenyatta, Jaramogi, and Moi families were Kenya’s enemies. Now he is working with them,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president accused Ruto of betraying ordinary Kenyans, particularly the “Mama Mboga” and small-scale traders who formed the backbone of his 2022 campaign narrative. He argued that the president’s actions prove that his populist messaging was merely a political tactic to gain power.
“This man is deceptive. He lied to us and to Kenyans. The whole hustler versus dynasty story was false. Now he has become part of the dynasties, while the real hustlers continue to suffer,” he declared.
Gachagua further accused Ruto of diverting public funds meant for grassroots empowerment, saying that resources intended for small traders and youth groups have been centralized under State control. He also condemned what he described as the president’s double standards in handling dissent, alleging that Ruto ordered excessive force against protesters while protecting his allies.
“He said he would protect hustlers, but when they protest, he orders that they be shot at. Meanwhile, those close to him are treated differently. He has harassed hustlers so much that he has forgotten what the word means,” Gachagua remarked.
The former deputy president said the president’s shift toward the political establishment has weakened the hustler movement and eroded public trust in his leadership.
Gachagua concluded by expressing confidence that the opposition will defeat Ruto in the 2027 general elections, asserting that the president’s broken promises and perceived betrayal would cost him politically.
“This Ruto we are seeing — we will defeat him. And I want you to assure me that we will thrash him,” Gachagua told delegates.
His remarks highlight the growing rift between Ruto and his former allies, signaling an intensifying political realignment ahead of 2027.
