Ruto: I built my mountain ties with Uhuru, not Rigathi Gachagua
President William Ruto interacts with members of the public after inspecting the ongoing construction of the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua road at the Marua Interchange in Nyeri County on January 12, 2026.
President William Ruto on Monday dismissed claims by his former deputy, Mr Rigathi Gachagua, that he helped him secure support in the Mt Kenya region.
Dr Ruto said no individual can claim to have introduced him to the area.
“Some people have been going around saying that they brought me to the Mountain,” the president said.
Dr Ruto said that his relationship with the region dates back to his time as deputy president during the tenure of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Mr Gachagua has been telling residents of Mt Kenya region to shun Dr Ruto following his impeachment by the National Assembly on October 8, 2024. The former DP said that his removal from office was “a betrayal of the community.”
“I did not know the kind of man Ruto is. I ask for forgiveness for misleading you. Now that we know who he is, we will not give him our votes in 2027,” he has said repeatedly.
The former Mathira Member of Parliament has also been leading the “Wantam” movement, which is aimed at unseating Dr Ruto in the August 2027 General Election.
President William Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki inspect the ongoing construction of the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua road at the Marua Interchange in Nyeri County on January 12, 2026.
However, speaking in Nyeri County during the launch of the Sh173 million Nyota Programme targeting 6,000 young people from Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua counties, President Ruto said no one should take credit for the overwhelming support he received in the region. He got 87 per cent of his votes from Mt Kenya region during the 2022 election.
“I have heard some people claiming that they carried me on their backs and introduced me to the Mountain. Nobody brought me here. The truth is, I came here with my former boss, Uhuru Kenyatta, who used to send me to represent him,” Dr Ruto said.
“When I was deputy president, I launched projects and represented my former boss. I launched road projects, we built churches together, and our friendship spans more than 20 years. Anyone claiming to have introduced me to you should not imagine they can destroy that relationship,” he added.
The president repeated the remarks in Nyeri town when he commissioned a classroom block at Nyamachaki Comprehensive School and inspected the construction of the Kenol–Marua dual carriageway at the Marua interchange.
“Let me tell them that they will not threaten me with slogans like ‘Wantam’ or ‘Kasongo Must Go’. They have no agenda. When the time comes for Kenyans to decide in 2027, they will elect a leader with a proven track record,” he said.
Speaking later in Karatina town in Mr Gachagua’s backyard, the president said that he would not be distracted by what he termed opposition “noise”. He said that he was focusing on delivering the promises he made to Kenyans.
The president assured Mt Kenya residents that all ongoing projects would be completed. He said that the Kenol–Marua dual carriageway was 95 per cent complete and Sh4 billion had been allocated for the completion of Mau Mau roads.
The ongoing construction of the 84km Kenol-Sagana-Marua road at the Marua Interchange in Nyeri County on January 12, 2026.
Earlier, while launching the Nyota Programme, Dr Ruto dismissed opposition criticism that the Sh25,000 being issued to beneficiaries was “too little”. He cautioned against politicising the initiative.
“They say the money is little, yet during all the years they were in leadership, they gave nothing to the youth. These young people do not see this money as little; they know what to do with it,” he said.
The president said the programme had been redesigned to accommodate more categories of youth, including those who completed secondary school but had no further training.
He said that the government would support 90,000 young people without skills by enrolling them in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (Tvet) institutions.
“This programme will position our youth to drive the country’s development into the future. The most valuable resource we have in Kenya is our human capital, anchored on young people, and that is why we are investing in them,” he said.
The president was accompanied by Deputy President Prof Kithure Kindiki, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, and Murang’a Deputy Governor Stephen Munania, who represented Governor Irungu Kang’ata. He also conveyed apologies from Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru.
Also present were Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe, National Assembly Leader of Majority Kimani Ichung’wa, Mathira MP Eric Wambumbi, and Nyeri Town MP Duncan Mathenge, among other leaders.
Prof Kindiki said the Nyota Programme includes a start-up capital pillar aimed at helping young people begin their journey to self-reliance.
“Nyota goes beyond giving money. It empowers young people to start businesses, develop skills and cultivate a culture of saving to secure their future,” he said.
“Some say the capital issued is small, but there is no such thing as small or big money. What matters is how you manage what you receive. It is possible to start small and grow steadily into a successful enterprise,” he added, as he advised the beneficiaries to use the funds prudently.
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