Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

- Former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that he secretly recorded private conversations with President William Ruto.

During an interview with KTN News on the evening of Monday, April 7, Gachagua said he possesses secret recordings of President William Ruto attempting to buy his resignation with billions of shillings, threatening to release the explosive tapes at an appropriate time.

Gachagua revealed stunning details about his final days in office, alleging that Ruto personally offered him a multi-billion shilling exit package to avoid impeachment.

"When we disagreed, he called me and said, 'I cannot work with you. Resign or I'll impeach you, "He offered me 1.5 to 2 billion shillings as a retirement package. I told him to go to hell. I'm priceless," Gachagua recounted.

The former DP, a self-declared truthful man, claimed he rejected the offer outright, reminding Ruto of his substantial campaign contributions during the 2022 elections.

"I told him to go to hell. I'm not interested. I'm priceless. And that kind of money, you know, I have. You know how much I funded your campaign. I am not a man to be given KSh 2 billion. You know what kind of money I am into," Gachagua said defiantly.

The former deputy president recounted the tense days leading to his impeachment, alleging Ruto sent multiple offers through the senior officer even as the parliamentary process unfolded.

Gachagua stated that he started by secretly recording multiple conversations with a senior government officer acting as Ruto’s emissary.

According to him, these clandestine meetings occurred at a National Intelligence Service safe house along State House Road after he refused to meet at State House or a hotel.

"He sent a very senior officer to come and see me. And he gave me his terms. And against my ethics, because I don't record people. I recorded that conversation, giving me that offer from the president. I have that record," he stated.

Gachagua further stated that he had stored the recordings somewhere safe, warning security agencies against raiding his place looking for the files.

When pressed to name the senior officer, Gachagua refused, expressing concern about jeopardising the official's career.

However, he promised to reveal the identity only after the officer's retirement, which he claimed was imminent.

"I am very conflicted. That officer is an innocent man. He's an emissary of the president. He is in service. If I expose him now, he will lose his job. He will be in very difficult circumstances. So on discussion with my family and lawyers, we have agreed that when he retires, and it's not very long from now, we'll be able to release that information," he added.

Source: TUKO.co.ke