Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has rebuked the Ministry of Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of deflecting responsibility for Kenya’s current challenges by blaming former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Speaking from the United Kingdom, Gachagua said it was misleading for leaders in the current administration to attribute ongoing economic and governance difficulties to a government that left office in 2022.
He insisted that the responsibility for running the country now lies squarely with President William Ruto.
“Uhuru Kenyatta is not the President of Kenya. William Ruto is the President of Kenya. The buck stops with him,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua Pushback on Blame Game
Gachagua’s remarks come after Murkomen questioned why sectors such as the matatu industry did not protest during Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, suggesting that current discontent may be politically driven.
Also Read: Murkomen Claims Coordinated Plot Behind Violent Fuel Price Demonstrations
In response, Gachagua said the situation facing Kenyans today is very different, pointing to the sharp rise in fuel prices as a sign of the worsening economy and noting that the cost has nearly doubled compared to the previous administration.
The increase, he said, has had a ripple effect across transport, food, and household expenses.
“The people of Kenya know the difference,” he said, referring to the contrast in living costs between the two administrations.
Gachagu’s Call for Accountability
Gachagua warned against repeatedly comparing the Uhuru and Ruto administrations whenever problems arise, saying it shifts focus away from solving the issues at hand.
He stressed that Kenya’s current leadership must accept accountability and address the issues affecting citizens.
The former president also reflected on warnings allegedly issued by Uhuru Kenyatta during the 2022 election period about the current administration’s leadership, admitting those concerns were dismissed at the time.
Gachagua also faulted the government’s priorities, saying leaders are focusing on foreign trips while the country faces serious challenges.
He noted that such moves risk increasing public frustration and casting doubt on the government’s commitment to addressing citizens’ concerns.
Also Read: Gachagua Lists 11 Prayers in the Court Petition Challenging His Impeachment
Murkomen Questions Selective Protests Against Ruto
Murkomen defended the government, calling on matatu operators and the wider transport sector to show the same patience they had during the previous administration, even as protests over rising fuel prices continue.
Speaking to the media on May 18, Murkomen recalled his time in the Senate during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure, when he criticized fuel price increases without the sector resorting to strikes or service disruptions.
He argued that the current wave of protests appears selective and politically motivated.
Murkomen stated that during that time, Kenyans never organized a protest or agitated for the matatu sector to stop operations, and the leaders of the matatu industry never protested against the government.
“So the question you should be asking yourself is, why do they feel that it was okay to understand President Uhuru Kenyatta, but when it is President William Ruto, they should go to the streets?”Murkomen asked.
