Gachagua says his attacks on Uhuru were ‘nothing personal’

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has downplayed his past political attacks on former President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying his criticism during the 2022 campaigns was purely part of the rough-and-tumble of politics and not driven by personal animosity.

Gachagua, at the time presidential running mate of William Ruto, repeatedly criticised then-President Kenyatta, who had endorsed long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga as his successor.

He accused Kenyatta and his family of benefiting from 'state capture', which he vowed their government would go after and investigate those involved.

In a Sunday interview with KTN News, Gachagua said such confrontations were part of the contest for power and should not be viewed as personal grudges.

“Campaigning was campaigning; when you are campaigning, there are no rules. It’s rough and nothing personal, really. We were just looking for leadership,” he said. “The things that were said then dropped immediately when the election was over. You don't bother about them.”

Gachagua, who has since fallen out with Ruto, been impeached, and is now eyeing the country’s top seat in 2027, said politics should not be taken personally, describing election campaigns as “not a church affair or a wedding.”

“When you’re looking for votes, you come up with all sorts of issues against your opponents. And really, there is nothing personal. Once the elections are over, you move on,” he said.

He added that political rivals often reconcile after elections, citing examples of Kenyatta’s post-election cooperation with Odinga and Ruto’s current alliance with Odinga.

“Just like you have seen, even Uhuru Kenyatta himself, things that he said against Raila Odinga, then they came and patched up and worked together,” he said. “Look at William Ruto; he called Raila all sorts of names – Muganga, Kitendawili – and today they are calling each other brothers.”

Gachagua said such dynamics are common in politics and should be understood as “part of the game.”

“When people are campaigning and they use words here and there against each other, it’s part of the game. There is nothing really personal,” he said.