Ruto: I saved Gachagua from impeachment attempts twice

President William Ruto has said that he took part in saving former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from being impeached by Members of Parliament.

The President said that he gave the former DP chances two times to redeem himself from what he termed as 'petty conflicts'.

Ruto claimed Gachagua was picking fights with Members of Parliament and other State House leaders.

"I tried, in fact, on matters saving him, when they refused Gachagua the first time, I accepted him, when they tried to impeach him the second time I saved him, was I elected to serve one person or Kenyans?" Ruto said.

Ruto said that Kenyans are the judges on how leaders perform and all the powers are in the hands of Kenyans.

He said that leaders should not dwell on handling issues affecting leaders rather than focusing on developments for Kenyans.

The President was speaking on Monday during a media engagement at Nyeri State Lodge during his five-day tour in the central region.

The former DP suffered impeachment in October 2024 and became the first deputy president to be impeached in Kenya's history.

Senators voted to uphold at least five charges against Gachagua.

These include ground one of shareholding, ground four of undermining the Independence of Judges, ground five of the National Cohesion and Integrity Act 4, ground six of crimes under the National Cohesion Act and ground nine of gross misconduct (Public Attacks to NIS).

The motion of impeachment was tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse in the National Assembly.

A total of 281 MPs voted in favour of the ouster motion against 44 who voted to save his young political career from sudden death.

Mutuse preferred 11 charges upon which MPs voted to send Gachagua packing.

However, speaking on Monday, the President said the removal of Gachagua from office was a decision made by politicians from Mt Kenya region.

"Those who removed him followed the law, I never signed anywhere that he be removed from office," Ruto said.

"I am the one who nominated Gachagua in accordance with the constitution.Even when I nominated him, I asked leaders from Mt Kenya to help me with one of them to be my running mate."