Rigathi Gachagua says William Ruto tried to buy his resignation with cash offers right before they kicked him out of office. The President told Gachagua directly that he wanted him gone. He could leave with honor or face removal through impeachment.
"He phoned me when we had problems. He said he could not work with me anymore. He wanted me to quit my job. The President offered me retirement money plus extra cash - about 1.5 to 2 billion shillings to start fresh. I refused because I cannot be bought," Gachagua explained during his TV talk. The former deputy believes his worth exceeds any price tag.
Later, during travels across central Kenya, Ruto fired back at Gachagua. The President claimed his former helper demanded 10 billion shillings to handle Mt Kenya politics. Ruto added he accepted possible defeat, saying, "If my time ends after one term, I accept that." Gachagua strongly denies making any such demands for cash.
A high-ranking government worker visited Gachagua multiple times with these offers. This happened on the exact day lawmakers voted for his removal. "Against my normal habits, I recorded our talk," Gachagua admitted. The next day, this same official pushed for a direct meeting between the two leaders. The President wanted face-to-face discussions.
Gachagua rejected State House as a meeting spot. He also said no to hotel meetings. They finally met at a secret location on State House Road run by intelligence agents. "He gave me another offer. I said I needed time to think because I wanted peace," Gachagua explained. Even on his Senate hearing day, this same official brought yet another offer. Gachagua claims he turned down every single attempt to buy his exit.
"He phoned me when we had problems. He said he could not work with me anymore. He wanted me to quit my job. The President offered me retirement money plus extra cash - about 1.5 to 2 billion shillings to start fresh. I refused because I cannot be bought," Gachagua explained during his TV talk. The former deputy believes his worth exceeds any price tag.
Later, during travels across central Kenya, Ruto fired back at Gachagua. The President claimed his former helper demanded 10 billion shillings to handle Mt Kenya politics. Ruto added he accepted possible defeat, saying, "If my time ends after one term, I accept that." Gachagua strongly denies making any such demands for cash.
A high-ranking government worker visited Gachagua multiple times with these offers. This happened on the exact day lawmakers voted for his removal. "Against my normal habits, I recorded our talk," Gachagua admitted. The next day, this same official pushed for a direct meeting between the two leaders. The President wanted face-to-face discussions.
Gachagua rejected State House as a meeting spot. He also said no to hotel meetings. They finally met at a secret location on State House Road run by intelligence agents. "He gave me another offer. I said I needed time to think because I wanted peace," Gachagua explained. Even on his Senate hearing day, this same official brought yet another offer. Gachagua claims he turned down every single attempt to buy his exit.
