Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made explosive allegations about President William Ruto’s alleged financial dealings with the late Zimbabwean businessman Wicknell Chivayo, claiming the businessman died before revealing the whereabouts of money he alleged was linked to the President.
Speaking during an engagement with Kenyan clergy and diaspora members in Boston, Massachusetts, Gachagua claimed that Chivayo had business arrangements with Ruto and alleged that the businessman “died with” Ksh1.5 trillion.
“I know everything. You were doing business together. This man died with his money,” Gachagua said, without providing evidence for the allegation.
Allegations against President Ruto
Gachagua further claimed that Chivayo had arrangements with the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to introduce technology from South Korea for use in the next election.
“That’s why Ruto is so mad. He doesn’t know where to begin,” Gachagua said.
The allegations come as the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader steps up his political mobilisation among Kenyans in the diaspora ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The DCP leader said his engagements in the United States were part of a broader effort to listen to Kenyans at home and abroad and incorporate their views into his political programme.
Gachagua also recounted an episode involving the late Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, claiming he had planned to use the legislator’s burial to confront Ruto politically.
He said Kiaraho had been looking forward to a political contest with Ruto, telling Senator John Methu that they would “tupimane nguvu, ndio tuheshimiane” — compete politically so they could earn each other’s respect.
Gachagua said that despite advice from his political team against attending the burial, he insisted on going.
Addressing the diaspora, Gachagua defended his decision to engage Kenyans living abroad, saying he had spent June, July and August travelling to Wamunyoro and other parts of Kenya to listen to citizens.
Engagements with the Kenyan diaspora
“What brings this villager from Wamunyoro all the way to the United States? Why is the villager here?” he asked rhetorically, before saying he had come to trace and engage Kenyans abroad.
Gachagua said a government under his leadership would deliberately give the Kenyan diaspora a greater role in diplomatic appointments.
He proposed appointing ambassadors based on their experience in the countries where they are posted and ensuring that where an ambassador is appointed from Kenya, the deputy ambassador would come from the Kenyan diaspora.
On his broader political agenda, Gachagua accused the Ruto administration of undermining the rule of law and constitutionalism.
Proposed reforms and policies
He pledged to recover allegedly stolen public wealth and assets, fight corruption and restore integrity in public service.
Gachagua also called for foreign governments and investors to exercise caution when signing agreements with the Ruto administration, claiming some government deals had subsequently been annulled by the courts.
His proposed reforms include introducing integrity as a subject in the education curriculum, restoring free primary education, reinstating Linda Mama and restructuring the university funding model.
On healthcare, he pledged to revamp the sector and restore NHIF under a reformed system.
Gachagua also promised an aggressive crackdown on illicit alcohol and drugs, saying the manufacture and sale of illicit brews would be stopped within his first week in office.
He said his administration would target drug barons, establish rehabilitation services at Level Four hospitals and allocate funding for mental health programmes.
On business, Gachagua proposed a single licence for businesses to reduce the regulatory burden on entrepreneurs.
He further pledged to protect human rights, freedom of expression and media freedom, while condemning what he described as attacks on the media, including The Standard.
The former deputy president presented the proposed reforms as part of a wider plan to fundamentally change how government operates, saying Kenya needs a return to constitutionalism, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights.
