Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on his former boss, President William Ruto, urging Nairobi residents to vote out the current administration and Governor Johnson Sakaja in the 2027 polls.

Speaking to a charged crowd in the capital, Gachagua claimed that the Kenya Kwanza government has betrayed the "Hustler" promise, systematically impoverishing the very people who voted them into power. His rhetoric marks a definitive point of no return in his fallout with the President.

The Economics of Betrayal

Gachagua argued that instead of putting money into pockets, the government’s aggressive tax measures have drained households dry. He painted a picture of an administration out of touch with the reality of the mama mboga and boda boda riders.

• Tax Burden: He cited the Housing Levy and increased VAT on fuel as direct assaults on the poor.
• City Mismanagement: Targeting Governor Sakaja, Gachagua alleged that Nairobi has regressed in service delivery, with garbage collection and water supply hitting new lows.
• Mt Kenya Factor: The former DP is actively consolidating his backyard, framing himself as the defender of the mountain against "external aggression."

A Political Gamble

While Gachagua’s populist stance draws cheers, his political vehicle remains unclear. Analysts warn that running an anti-incumbency campaign while having been part of the same government is a delicate balancing act. However, his ability to mobilize grassroots anger cannot be underestimated.

"They took your hope," Gachagua told the crowd. "In 2027, take back your power."