Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has issued a public apology to Meru residents for what he termed as having introduced a ‘deceptive’ leader to them.

Speaking at Kiirua Shopping Centre on Sunday, June 22, during his final tour day in the county, Gachagua claimed President William Ruto misled him into trusting his words.

He said trusting Ruto, whom he served as his deputy for over two years, was a mistake he still regrets.

“I am asking for your forgiveness for bringing you 'Kasongo'. He lied to me using the Bible. Little did I know it was the hyena in the sheep’s skin,” the former deputy president said.

Since his impeachment, Gachagua has been fiercely criticising the Kenya Kwanza administration, which he helped ascend to power.

He has already declared that he will ensure President Ruto is not re-elected in 2027.

The DCP party leader also urged Meru voters to make a wise decision in the coming general election.

"Should we send him (Ruto) home or not?" Gachagua asked, and the crowd responded affirmatively.

In addition, he accused the president and his allies of favouring their backyards in the recruitment of youths to the National Police Service, the Kenya Defence Service (KDF), the Kenya Forest Service (KWS) and the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), among other state agencies.

He claimed in other regions like Meru, youths are only given handouts to disrupt political events.

“Your MP is being told there’s no need to take his people to the military. He is then given money which he can share with them so that they can throw stones at others, and after that they can drink alcohol,” Gachagua claimed.

The former deputy president had earlier claimed President Ruto had paid youths to disrupt his rallies in Meru.

Gachagua claimed the plot was executed by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who mobilised youths.

During the three days that the DCP leader was in Meru, there were no major disruptions of his events apart from an attempt by a group of youths to block his entry to Meru Town.

Previously, reported that former Nyeri Town Member of Parliament Ngunjiri Wambugu claimed Gachagua has no interest in removing President Ruto from power in 2027.

Wambugu, who was once an ally of the former deputy president, noted that his (Gachagua's) plan is to build a powerful political party, similar to former Prime Minister Raila Odinga's Orange Democratic Movement (ODM)

The former MP claimed that once Gachagua has a strong party, he might end up negotiating a political deal with Ruto.

Source: TUKO.co.ke