Rigathi Gachagua Accuses Ruto of Plotting Arrest and Travel Ban

The political rivalry between President William Ruto and his former Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, has officially entered dangerous territory. Gachagua, who was impeached earlier this year in a storm of controversy, now claims that Ruto is orchestrating a behind-the-scenes plan to arrest him—an effort, he says, intended to shut him up permanently.

In a statement that felt more like a declaration of political war, Gachagua went further to allege that the state is working tirelessly to restrict his movement, particularly outside the country. According to him, travel bans are being secretly drawn up, blocking him from attending international meetings, rallies, or simply stepping outside the national border.

From Partner to Target

Once the right-hand man to Ruto, Gachagua has undergone a stunning political transformation from loyal second-in-command to outspoken critic. After months of public disagreements and subtle digs, the feud has now grown into a full-blown confrontation.

Gachagua insists that his increasing popularity in Mount Kenya and his hardline stance against what he calls Ruto’s “authoritarian drift” have made him a prime target. He says that arresting him would serve two purposes for the president: remove a key rival and send a message to others who may be tempted to challenge State House authority.

Political Weaponization or Paranoia?

These claims, while explosive, are not uncharacteristic in the Kenyan political theatre. Arrest threats, real or imagined, have long been tools used to either intimidate opponents or rally sympathy. But this time, the stakes are higher. Gachagua’s public pronouncements are being interpreted as both a cry for help and a calculated political maneuver—a way to pre-emptively frame himself as a victim of political persecution.

No official statement has yet been issued by the presidency or the Ministry of Interior, but sources close to power corridors suggest that Gachagua’s movements are indeed under surveillance. Whether that amounts to a travel ban or simple state interest is unclear, but the timing is suspicious.

A Precarious Moment for the Republic

This showdown raises critical concerns. If the state were to move against Gachagua using administrative or legal means, it would not only deepen political polarization but also threaten the fragile trust in constitutional protections.

For his supporters, Gachagua has become something of a martyr-in-the-making—a figure supposedly standing up against a regime that, in his view, has abandoned democracy in favor of raw power. For critics, his claims are exaggerated—an attempt to inject himself back into political relevance after being ousted.

Either way, the Kenyan public is left watching a high-stakes chess game between two men who once ran on the same ticket.

What Happens Next?

The coming days may determine whether this standoff spirals into legal and constitutional crisis—or fizzles out as political drama. Gachagua has vowed to continue speaking out, and if any move is made to restrict his movement or arrest him, the backlash could be seismic.

Kenya is no stranger to political power plays, but this particular clash feels more personal, more dangerous, and more unpredictable. What’s clear is this: the gloves are off, and the battle for the heart of Kenyan politics is far from over.