Gachagua Complained He Was Not Learned and I Realised He Was Going To Fail Me - President Ruto

President William Ruto took a dig at his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua for not being properly educated.

President William Ruto has once again taken aim at his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, this time questioning his level of education and competence.

Speaking at State House, Nairobi, during the Waalimu Na Rais Forum on Saturday, the Head of State told teachers that leadership requires surrounding oneself with intelligent and knowledgeable people.

Ruto praised his current deputy, Professor Kithure Kindiki, describing him as an accomplished academic and a sharp thinker.

He contrasted this with his experience under Gachagua, saying his leadership was weakened by a deputy who constantly complained about his own educational background.

“If you want to succeed, always choose a deputy who is more educated than you,” Ruto told the gathering.

“When they are bright, they help you shine. I once had one who admitted he was not learned, and I realised he was going to let me down.”

Rigathi Gachagua has never hidden his concerns about his academic record. He graduated from the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Literature.

On several occasions, he admitted he wished he had studied further, even expressing plans to pursue a master’s degree.

During his time in office, Gachagua often said he felt overshadowed by Ruto’s higher academic achievements, especially given that the president holds a doctorate.

The relationship between the two leaders deteriorated after their 2022 election victory. 

By their second year in power, cracks had become visible, with Ruto accusing Gachagua of being absent in defending government policies.

The president lamented that while he expected his deputy to be his principal assistant, he was often left to push government programs on his own.

Gachagua, meanwhile, became more focused on Mount Kenya regional politics, which further widened the rift.

Their fallout eventually led to Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.

Since then, he has been repositioning himself politically, vowing to challenge Ruto in the 2027 general election.

Ruto, however, said his current partnership with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was much stronger. 

He praised Kindiki’s ability to articulate government policy clearly and connect with the public.

According to Ruto, this combination of academic knowledge and political skill makes Kindiki the right partner for Kenya’s leadership going forward.