Ruto tells Gachagua to leave young Kenyan leaders alone
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on The Standard
Kenyan President William Ruto asks former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua to stop targeting young political leaders. He says his generation will leave the political stage in 2032, according to The Standard.
President William Ruto has asked former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, leader of the DCP party, to leave young political leaders alone. At a rally in the Bonchari constituency, Kisii County, on Tuesday 10 November 2026, he said his generation will leave the political stage in 2032, according to The Standard. He accused Gachagua of targeting new leaders and hindering their political progress, naming MP for South Mugirango Silvanus Osoro, MP for Nyaribari Chache Zaheer Jhanda, Kisii MP Dorice Donya, MP for Kiharu Ndindi Nyoro, MP for Kikuyu Kimani Ichung’wah, Kericho senator Aaron Cheruiyot and MP for Kitutu Chache North Japheth Nyakundi.
Ruto said he wanted to leave the field open for these young leaders: « Mimi na wao tutaondoka 2032. Niwaachie hawa vijana uwanja waendelee na taifa letu la Kenya. » He also rejected Gachagua’s claim that he would teach him politics, describing him as a one-term MP and a political failure. He also questioned Gachagua’s remarks about a possible departure to Texas in the event of political instability in Kenya, asking why a leader would threaten to leave the country instead of working for its stability.
The exchange is part of a confrontation that is intensifying ahead of the 2027 general election. Gachagua has challenged Ruto to prepare for genuine electoral competition and criticised the president’s record in Kisii and Nyamira, accusing him of relying on promises and handouts rather than completed projects. Ruto wants to retire in 2032 alongside Gachagua and Kalonzo Musyoka, while Gachagua promises to defeat Ruto in the 2027 presidential election.
