'We will defend orphans and widows,' Ruto says on Gachagua family dispute

Ruto has vowed to ensure the said property is returned to late Nderitu’s family. 

"You can carry on with the insults, but what belongs to orphans and widows must be returned. There is no getting away with that. That hotel in Nairobi, the property in Kilifi, and other things taken from the bereaved family must be returned,” said Ruto in reference to his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua. 

The Head of State claimed Gachagua illegally acquired the family’s property after the demise of his brother, a former Nyeri governor.

“I can take the insults as a man, but the widows and orphans cannot, and we will therefore defend them, even before God. Nobody will ill-treat them,” he added. 

The late Nderitu’s family had written a letter to President Ruto, appealing for justice. Led by Margaret Nyokabi Nderitu and her four children, the family claims a purportedly doctored Will has subjected them to years of tribulations since the death of their patriarch.

They accuse a brother of the deceased of using the Will, along with alleged political connections and influence, to defraud, disinherit them, and misappropriate funds meant for the family.

In a response last week, Gachagua warned Ruto to avoid interfering in his family affairs and focus on his own.

"Amesahau mambo ya Kenya anaingilia mambo ya familia ya Gachagua. Alijaribu kuingilia mambo ya mlima, nikamkataza. Ameshindwa kugawanya mlima, anafikiria atagawanya familia ya Gachagua? Wewe William Ruto, ukona familia yenu ya Kalenjin, kuenda ongea mambo ya familia yenu, usiingilie mambo ya familia yangu hapa milimani," Gachagua stated.

On the other hand, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka on Sunday criticized Ruto over his escalating war of words with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying it is improper for a Head of State to make serious character allegations against a former running mate years after they were elected together.

Speaking during an interview with Citizen TV on Sunday night, Kalonzo said leaders should conduct thorough due diligence before picking deputies, arguing that it is inconsistent to campaign on one ticket and later make damaging claims without evidence.

“I think that it is important, even before you pick your running mate, to be able to ask yourself a question… You cannot then, after you have gone through, elected on one ticket, then turn around years later and say your deputy was a murderer and you cannot prove it,” Kalonzo said.