President Ruto offered me, Ichung'wa and Ndindi Nyoro 500 acres of land, Gachagua claims

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that President William Ruto once offered him and two senior Kenya Kwanza leaders hundreds of acres of land in Kilgoris, alleging the move was part of a broader plan to weaken the economic influence of the Mt Kenya region.

Speaking on Saturday in Wamunyoro, Nyeri County, the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) party leader alleged that while he was still serving as Deputy President, President Ruto hosted him alongside National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wa and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro at his Kilgoris farm, where he proposed allocating them land.

According to Gachagua, the President promised him 300 acres while Ichung'wa and Nyoro would each receive 100 acres.

"Aliniambia tukiwa kwa shamba yake pale Kilgoris tukiwa na Ndindi Nyoro na Kimani Ichung'wa, nikiwa naibu yake tukiwa tunaelewana hapo mbeleni, alituweka kwa gari akatuzungusha kwa shamba yake... wewe Riggy G nitakutafutia shamba ukuwe jirani ndio tukistaafu ukue jirani tukue tunatembeleana... Ndindi 100 acres, Ichung'wa 100 acres... mimi Riggy G 300 acres," he said.

Gachagua claimed the conversation took a different turn later that evening when, according to him, President Ruto warned against allowing one community to possess both political numbers and economic power.

"Akatuambia, if you ever become president, don't allow a community to have numbers and wealth at the same time because watakuhangaisha. I was shocked. Nikashindwa kwani amesahau sisi ni Wakikuyu ama anatuambia makusudi," he stated.

The former Deputy President went on to say he spent the night troubled by the remarks while those around him appeared to support the President.

"Akatupea nyumba kila mtu tulale hapo. I did not sleep the whole night... hawa vijana wengine wanapiga makofi... yes, yes, Rais," he added.

Gachagua further accused President Ruto of declaring what he termed an "economic war" against the Mt Kenya region, owing to the current administrative structure of the government.

"Ruto ametangaza vita ya kiuchumi na watu wa mlima. He will not allow the mountain people to have wealth," Gachagua said.

The DCP leader consequently urged residents of the region to reject President Ruto at the ballot in the 2027 General Election, insisting the President would receive little support in Mt Kenya regardless of his campaign efforts.

"Lakini hapa mlimani kura ya kufukuza ndio tamu. William Ruto mwaga pesa vile unamwaga pale Olkalou... Uliza Gideon Moi akwambie vile baba yake Moi alikuwa anaona hapa mlimani," he said.

"Hapa mlimani hakuna mahali, hakuna constituency Ruto atafikisha kura 1,000. Hapa Githunguri labda ya Wamuchomba na bwana yake."