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Post Reply: Gachagua Exposes Pre-Election Deal with Ruto for Mount Kenya Votes

<blockquote><div class="quotetitle">Quote from <a class="profile-link highlight-moderator" href="https://lawguide.co.ke/understanding-law/legal-forum/profile/lawyer/">Lawyer</a> on August 27, 2025, 5:30 am</div><div id="pl-7707"  class="panel-layout" ><div id="pg-7707-0"  class="panel-grid panel-no-style" ><div id="pgc-7707-0-0"  class="panel-grid-cell"  data-weight="1" ><div id="panel-7707-0-0-0" class="so-panel widget widget_sow-editor panel-first-child panel-last-child" data-index="0" data-style="{&quot;background_image_attachment&quot;:false,&quot;background_display&quot;:&quot;tile&quot;,&quot;background_image_size&quot;:&quot;full&quot;,&quot;background_image_opacity&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;border_thickness&quot;:&quot;1px&quot;}" ><div
			
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	<p dir="ltr" data-pm-slice="1 1 []">In a revealing television interview on August 26, 2025, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disclosed details of a behind-the-scenes agreement he made with President William Ruto before the 2022 General Election. Gachagua claimed the deal was designed to secure significant political and developmental benefits for the Mount Kenya region in exchange for delivering a substantial portion of its votes to Ruto’s campaign. The revelations have sparked widespread discussion, shedding light on the political bargaining that shaped the Kenya Kwanza administration and the subsequent fallout between the two leaders.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua explained that he negotiated with Ruto to ensure the Mount Kenya region, a key voting bloc, would receive substantial representation and resources in the government. According to Gachagua, Ruto tasked him with securing 70 percent of the region’s votes, promising in return approximately 40 percent of government positions. This arrangement, described as a “gentleman’s agreement,” was not formalized in writing but relied on mutual trust. Gachagua noted that while Western Kenya leaders reportedly insisted on a written pact with Ruto, Mount Kenya leaders trusted the verbal commitment.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The deal included securing eight out of 22 cabinet positions for Mount Kenya representatives, covering critical portfolios such as Interior, Finance, Agriculture, Water, Lands, Trade, and the Attorney General’s office. Beyond appointments, Gachagua said the agreement encompassed development projects and reforms, including improved infrastructure, coffee and tea sector reforms, and guaranteed minimum returns for farmers. These promises were intended to address longstanding economic and developmental concerns in the region, ensuring tangible benefits for its residents.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua alleged that Ruto failed to honor key aspects of the agreement, leading to political isolation and mounting tensions. He highlighted the reshuffling of cabinet positions as a significant point of contention, particularly after the anti-Finance Bill protests in 2024. Gachagua claimed that Ruto reassigned the Ministry of Finance, originally promised to a Mount Kenya representative, to John Mbadi, a move that sparked frustration among the region’s leaders and residents. “I was under pressure from the people I negotiated for. They wanted the deal respected,” Gachagua said, adding that his efforts to hold Ruto accountable led to a rift between them.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The former deputy president expressed regret over not insisting on a written agreement, noting that verbal agreements, while legally recognized, left room for disputes. He accused Ruto of prioritizing other regions and interests, undermining the Mount Kenya region’s “shareholding” in the government. Gachagua’s use of the term “shareholding” stems from a concept he attributed to Ruto, where political support from different regions was likened to shares in a company, entitling them to proportional influence and resources.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s disclosures come amid growing discontent in the Mount Kenya region, where many feel betrayed by the Kenya Kwanza administration. He cited the failure to appoint a regional representative to the East African Legislative Assembly as an early sign of Ruto’s disregard for the agreement. Despite securing two slots after negotiations, Gachagua said the episode underscored Ruto’s reluctance to prioritize Mount Kenya’s interests.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The former deputy president has been vocal about his plans to challenge Ruto’s leadership, announcing the formation of the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) in May 2025. The party aims to field over 150 candidates in the 2027 elections, targeting 130 National Assembly seats and 22 Senate seats. Gachagua’s revelations appear to be part of a broader strategy to consolidate support in Mount Kenya and position himself as a defender of the region’s interests against what he describes as Ruto’s betrayal.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s fallout with Ruto culminated in his impeachment on October 17, 2024, making him the first Kenyan deputy president to be removed through this process. He has since claimed that Ruto offered him 2 billion Kenyan shillings to resign before the impeachment, an offer he rejected, asserting his financial independence and commitment to his principles. Gachagua also alleged that Ruto paid parliamentarians and senators to support the impeachment, further straining their relationship.</p>
<p dir="ltr">In response to accusations that he demanded 10 billion shillings to rally Mount Kenya’s support, Gachagua dismissed the claims as inconsistent fabrications meant to justify his removal. He argued that if such allegations were true, they would have been included in the impeachment charges, which instead focused on gross misconduct, constitutional violations, and corruption.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Gachagua’s revelations have reignited debates about political accountability and the transparency of pre-election agreements in Kenya. His emphasis on the Mount Kenya region’s contributions to Ruto’s 2022 victory underscores the region’s political weight and the expectations of its voters. As Gachagua prepares for a political comeback through the DCP, his disclosures may reshape the narrative around Ruto’s administration and influence voter sentiment ahead of the 2027 elections.</p>
<p dir="ltr">The former deputy president’s accusations have also drawn criticism from some quarters, with opponents arguing that his focus on regional interests risks fueling tribal divisions. Nevertheless, Gachagua maintains that his advocacy is rooted in ensuring equitable resource distribution and honoring commitments made to voters. As Kenya navigates a turbulent political landscape, the fallout from this broken agreement could have far-reaching implications for the country’s leadership and regional dynamics.</p>
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