Betrayal or Forgotten Brotherhood? Ruto’s Old Tweet to Gachagua Fuels Debate Amid Ouster Push.

As Rigathi Gachagua faces mounting pressure in the Senate, an old tweet from President William Ruto has resurfaced, sparking fresh debate. The tweet, shared in July 2021 when Ruto was still Deputy President, reveals the depth of their alliance during a time when both men were being targeted by the administration of then-President Uhuru Kenyatta.

During Gachagua’s legal troubles, which saw him dramatically arrested at his Sagana home and hauled to court on fraud charges, Ruto was one of his staunchest defenders. He condemned the charges as politically motivated, blaming their shared political stance for the persecution.

In the three-year-old tweet, Ruto expressed solidarity with Gachagua, writing:
“My bro Gachagua, I know you are strong because we knew these politically instigated trumped-up charges were coming. This persecution on account of our friendship and political beliefs will end. They have connections, networks, pedigree, and godfathers, BUT we have GOD our Father.”

The tweet, now widely shared online, is a stark reminder of the bond the two once had before their rise to power and subsequent fallout. At the peak of their political alliance, Gachagua was one of Ruto’s most loyal supporters, risking his career and reputation to stand by him as Kenyatta’s government allegedly weaponized the legal system against them.

Gachagua’s arrest in July 2021 saw 15 detectives raid his home, leading to public humiliation as he was dragged to Nairobi to face charges. At the time, he told the media:
“I have a genuine fear that I will soon be arrested and charged with offenses I do not know. This false arrest is based on my political stance.”

Kenyans have begun revisiting the tweet, questioning the shift in their relationship. Many are contrasting Gachagua’s past loyalty with his current political struggles, which are widely believed to be linked to Ruto himself.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) commented, “Even after all he went through for you, Mr. President, you’ve put him through the same troubles? He was your guy three years ago! What changed?”

Others are now questioning the concept of political loyalty itself. Elvis Mwangi wrote, “This man was undressed in front of his children because he supported you. How can you forget that so quickly? Political loyalty is a scam!”

As Gachagua faces the possibility of losing his position as Deputy President, his former ally Ruto has remained conspicuously silent, with many speculating that the President himself may be behind Gachagua’s current woes. The resurfaced tweet now serves as a poignant reminder of the fragile and transactional nature of political alliances.

Article By Suzy Nyongesa.