Ruto Fires Back at Gachagua, Dismisses Him as “Idler” in Drought Response Row
Speaking in Garissa, President Ruto dismissed Gachagua as an “idler” and questioned his capacity to plan or implement development programmes. He further accused his former deputy of advancing a purely political agenda, suggesting that Gachagua’s rallying call of “Kasongo must go” a phrase often used by critics pushing for Ruto’s exit from office was at the centre of his recent remarks
President William Ruto on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, as a political dispute over the government’s response to the drought crisis in northern Kenya intensified
Speaking in Garissa, President Ruto dismissed Gachagua as an “idler” and questioned his capacity to plan or implement development programmes. He further accused his former deputy of advancing a purely political agenda, suggesting that Gachagua’s rallying call of “Kasongo must go” a phrase often used by critics pushing for Ruto’s exit from office was at the centre of his recent remarks
The President’s comments appeared to be in response to Gachagua’s criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration over what he termed a slow and inadequate response to worsening food and water shortages in parts of northern Kenya
Earlier, speaking at his DCP party offices in Nairobi, Gachagua faulted the government’s drought mitigation efforts, arguing that the funds allocated fall short of the scale of need. He cited the Cabinet-approved Sh4 billion allocation and a Sh4.1 billion monthly expenditure plan, saying the amount is insufficient to support an estimated 3.3 million people requiring urgent assistance
According to Gachagua, the allocation translates to approximately Sh1,200 per person — well below the Sh2,700 minimum food basket benchmarked by the United Nations. He also called on President Ruto to declare the drought a national disaster, noting that at least 10 counties were facing critical conditions
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The former deputy president further alleged misuse of public resources, claiming that some emergency supplies had been diverted for political activities. He also criticised what he described as excessive government spending, including the use of helicopters
President Ruto is set to begin a three-day tour of northern Kenya, starting with a Nyota disbursement forum in Garissa County. The visit comes amid growing political pressure and heightened public scrutiny over the government’s handling of the drought crisis
