Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of using state institutions to advance private business interests, alleging that the government is seeking to gain control of Kenya’s matatu industry through the National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA).
Speaking during a press briefing today Tuesday, the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader claimed the transport regulator had been “captured” and questioned how vehicle inspection fees are being collected.
Gachagua alleged that a company he identified as PesaPaid was receiving payments for vehicle inspections outside government systems. He called on NTSA to publicly explain where the money is being deposited and urged motorists to avoid presenting their vehicles for inspection if the current payment arrangement remains in place.
“If they insist, we will remove all vehicles from the roads for one week. We will shut down Kenya. The way to deal with William Ruto is through an economic shutdown,” Gachagua said.
He also claimed that inspection fees were not reaching government accounts, though he did not present evidence to support the allegation.
The claims come as NTSA has defended mandatory vehicle inspections, with the authority maintaining that the exercise is intended to improve road safety and enhance national security.
Gachagua broadened his criticism beyond the transport sector, accusing President Ruto of dominating key areas of the economy and squeezing out private businesses.
“The man has driven all business people out of business,” he said.
The former deputy president said he was compiling what he described as a list of businesses linked to President Ruto and planned to urge Kenyans to boycott their products.
“I am compiling a list of businesses owned by William Ruto. I will call for a total boycott of all products associated with companies linked to him,” he said. “We will sabotage him economically. So far I have 17 and more are coming.”
His remarks add to growing political tensions between the two former allies, whose relationship has deteriorated sharply since Gachagua’s departure from government.
Addressing questions over his absence from recent anti-government demonstrations, Gachagua said he deliberately avoids leading street protests, arguing that his political strength lies elsewhere.
“I have seen people asking why they did not see me in the demonstrations. Riggy G’s strength is not taking people to demonstrations. My role is to defend people, not to have them killed. Riggy G is a man of peace, not chaos,” he said.
He insisted demonstrations are not his preferred way of pursuing political change.
“You are saying I don’t know demonstrations. That is true. I don’t know demonstrations. What am I doing in demonstrations? I am in a different lane,” he said.
Instead, Gachagua cast himself as a political organiser, pointing to his involvement in previous presidential campaigns.
“My strength is in mobilization, not in taking people to get killed in demonstrations. I mobilized in 2007 and Kibaki became President. I mobilized in 2013 and 2017 and Uhuru became President. In 2022, I mobilized and Ruto became President,” he said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 General Election, he signalled his intention to remain a central figure in Kenya’s political landscape.
“I am in the business of making presidents. And I’m in the process of taking one home and making another one,” he said.
Gachagua also alleged that enforced disappearances had resumed and accused the government of human rights abuses, including claims that a police unit he referred to as “Squad 101” had been reactivated to target critics. He called on the international community to closely monitor Kenya’s human rights record.
The government has previously rejected allegations that it sponsors unlawful arrests or enforced disappearances, maintaining that security agencies operate within the law. Authorities have also defended recent policing measures as necessary to maintain public order.
With political temperatures rising ahead of the 2027 election cycle, Gachagua’s latest remarks are likely to intensify an already increasingly confrontational national debate over governance, accountability and the role of state institutions.
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