Gachagua accuses Ruto of ‘state capture,' running Kenyans out of business

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now claims President William Ruto is using his office and powers to conduct personal business in a wide range of sectors, including construction, banking, insurance and supplies, among others.

Describing Ruto’s alleged business tentacles as ‘state capture’, Gachagua says President Ruto is involved in corrupt dealings and using his office to grow his business empire while creating a hostile business environment for other Kenyans.

Gachagua spoke in Portland, Oregon, where he outlined his agenda should he be nominated as the United Opposition flagbearer.

In true Gachagua fashion, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader did not hold back when he addressed Kenyans living and working in Portland, Oregon, in the United States, where he is on a tour.

Gachagua, reporting on the state of the country, accused President Ruto of using the office to line his pockets while other Kenyans suffered economic decline.

"There's no money in circulation, and business is not thriving because the country has been taken over by what we call state capture. William Ruto is doing all the businesses in the country,” he said.

A conflict of interest which Gachagua said the United Opposition will remedy should they succeed in denying Ruto a second term.

"He is in banking, he is in insurance, he is in medical, he is in steel, he is in cement, he is in Tiles, MDF boards, high schools, nursery schools, ICT... in fact of late he has gone into matatu, police uniform... he literally has driven all Kenyans out of business, he's doing everything,” he noted.

Tackling corruption, Gachagua said, tops the opposition agenda, as well as police reform and scrapping the affordable housing levy.

"If we deal with corruption, we shall do away with 40 per cent of Kenya's problems and I believe I'm the guy to deal with corruption because if I were corrupt, William Ruto would have jailed me... So you see, William Ruto, we have plans,” Gachagua noted.

Gachagua, who sold himself as having the best chance to unseat President Ruto, said he was, however, willing to back whichever candidate the United Opposition identified as presidential flagbearer.

"I am the leading contender, but I will support whoever we settle on unconditionally. Let the rest commit to the same,” he stated.

He also cautioned that the smart play would be for the United Opposition to keep their cards close to the vest.

"Tukitoa mtu saa hii, atatuhangaisha and I told Babu, Mwai Kibai was agreed on as the presidential candidate 73 days before the election,” said Gachagua.