Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of systematically humiliating his successor, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, drawing direct parallels to the political sidelining he says he experienced before his own removal from office.
Speaking Wednesday at Kipeto in Keekonyokie Ward, Kajiado West, during an educational celebration honoring DCP party woman representative aspirant Ann Nashipae, Gachagua claimed the president is gradually isolating Kindiki while allowing political allies to undermine him publicly as the ruling coalition deepens its partnership with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM).
Gachagua pointed to events at the Joint Broad-Based Alliance Parliamentary Group and Governors Retreat in Naivasha, where President Ruto announced a formal 2027 coalition agreement between Kenya Kwanza and ODM. Gachagua alleged that the president deliberately allowed ODM leaders to challenge Kindiki’s standing.
“Just recently in Naivasha, while Kindiki was sitting there, President William Ruto planned to humiliate him. He told Simba Arati to stand up, and Arati said, ‘This Deputy President seat belongs to us in ODM, and if Kindiki wants it, he should join ODM,’” Gachagua said. “Kindiki just sat there looking down.”
Questioning the president’s approach to his second-in-command, Gachagua argued that political shifts should not involve public embarrassment.
“President William Ruto, even if you have decided to fire this “Soprano” because he has no followers and has been rejected across Kenya for being a fake, why humiliate him? Why discuss his seat while he is sitting right there?” Gachagua asked.
“Even if he is useless, he is still someone’s husband and the father of a child. Even if he has no supporters, at least he is a human being. Why humiliate him?”
The former deputy president claimed these dynamics mimic the protocol breaches and political isolation he faced during his tenure in office, alleging that protocol boundaries are being intentionally blurred.
“I saw President William Ruto doing to him exactly what he used to do to me. When walking on the red carpet, he walks with Oburu, while Kindiki is forced to walk on the grass,” Gachagua stated. “You know, when President William Ruto wants to get rid of you, he does not tell you to leave; he treats you this way. Kindiki has not understood that yet.”
Recalling past friction over official protocol, Gachagua described confronting aides and allies who attempted to step into designated presidential spaces during his time in government.
“He tried to do the same to me. There is also his ‘Standard 2’ boy, who tried to step onto the carpet while I was walking with President William Ruto, and I pushed him away,” Gachagua said, referring to Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi.
“Then there was David Ndii in Naivasha. He tried to come onto the carpet while we were walking, and I pushed him out. That is the disrespect President William Ruto was showing me, the same disrespect he is showing Kindiki now.”
Warning Kindiki of what he views as an impending political exit, Gachagua urged the Deputy President to recognize the signals.
“So, Kindiki, when President William Ruto wants to fire you, he does not tell you to go. He simply pushes you onto the grass, brings in this old man called Oburu, and finds people to insult you,” Gachagua said. “That is exactly what he did to me.”
Reflecting on his previous interactions with the Head of State, Gachagua noted that his elected mandate allowed him to challenge protocol dismissals directly.
“But because I was an elected official, I told him, ‘President William Ruto, stop this nonsense and this disrespect,’” he said.
Despite their political differences, Gachagua expressed empathy for his successor, maintaining that administrative disputes should not cross into personal indignity.
“Even if he is not a good person, as a parent and a Christian, I felt sorry for him. You do not have to embarrass another man, even if you are through with him. Why embarrass him in front of others?” Gachagua said.
