Opposition leader tells President to stop blaming Uhuru and take responsibility for his administration’s shortcomings
Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has hit back at President William Ruto, telling him to stop pointing fingers at former President Uhuru Kenyatta and instead take responsibility for the challenges facing his administration. Gachagua’s tough words come just a day after President Ruto accused Uhuru of financing the opposition in an effort to undermine his government.
Speaking during a tour of Nakuru on Friday, Gachagua was direct and unapologetic. He said the Ruto administration should own up to its failures rather than blame the previous government for the country’s problems. According to Gachagua, the challenges Kenyans are facing—from poor service delivery to economic hardship—are entirely the making of the current regime, and they cannot be passed on to anyone else.
The opposition chief was particularly critical of Ruto’s record on key campaign promises. He pointed out that during the 2022 election campaign, Ruto promised to deliver affordable housing and universal health coverage for all Kenyans. However, Gachagua noted that these promises remain just that—promises. He questioned where these initiatives are and challenged the President to explain why these critical services have not been realized despite being in office.
“The President keeps asking the opposition to present alternatives, but he should first show Kenyans that he has delivered on his own promises,” Gachagua said, speaking in a mixture of English and Swahili that resonated with the local audience. He added that blaming previous administrations is not a strategy to move Kenya forward.
Gachagua also made a bold prediction about the 2027 General Election, stating that the opposition would secure a landslide victory. He framed this as a vote of no confidence in Ruto’s administration, arguing that Kenyans have already made up their minds about the current government’s failure to deliver.
The DCP leader went further, accusing the Ruto administration of undermining the rule of law. He alleged that the government has suspended constitutional rules and allowed impunity to flourish, making the country less secure and orderly. These are serious charges that touch on governance and the protection of citizens’ rights—core issues that resonate strongly with Kenyan voters.
In his closing remarks, Gachagua described himself as Ruto’s fiercest competitor, making it clear that he intends to be a serious challenger in the next election. He vowed that under his leadership, the opposition will remove Ruto from office and take the country in a new direction.
The war of words between the President and the opposition leader shows no signs of cooling down. What started as accusations and counter-accusations has now evolved into a clear battle for the hearts and minds of Kenyans ahead of the 2027 elections. While Ruto insists his administration should be judged on its record, Gachagua is arguing that the record speaks for itself—and it is not good.
For ordinary Kenyans watching from the sidelines, the key question remains: who will deliver the change they voted for? That question will likely dominate political discourse in the months leading up to the next general election.
