Gachagua: What Ruto Told Me About His Deal with Raila & the Stalled NADCO Report
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, addressing Kenyans in the U.S., has accused President William Ruto of orchestrating a political strategy to distract Raila Odinga and stall the National Dialogue Committee (NADCO) report. Gachagua claims that Ruto personally admitted the report would "go nowhere" and that Raila is being politically managed to remain silent and sidelined.
What Gachagua Claims
At a public rally on July 27, 2025, Gachagua asserted the following:
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He was told by President Ruto that ODM leader Raila Odinga is being placated to keep him inactive in national criticism.
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Quoting Ruto, Gachagua said:
“We are just managing this mzee… tumtafutie kitu kidogo ya kukula anyamaze.”
He presented this as deliberate political maneuvering to neutralize Raila's influence within ODM and national politics.
NADCO Report: Promised but Never Delivered
Gachagua also claims that Ruto disclosed the NADCO report would never be implemented, explicitly instructing his allies in Parliament to delay or ignore it until after the next elections:
“William Ruto told me that the NADCO report will go nowhere… He has told Ichung’wah and company in parliament to delay it until the next elections.”
Multiple outlets echo Gachagua’s allegations:
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People Daily / KenyaMOJA confirm that Gachagua strongly criticized the ODM-Ruto partnership, calling it a "con" that will eventually harm Raila’s political standing.
The Political Landscape at Play
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ODM Secretary‑General Edwin Sifuna declared the ODM‑UDA MoU “dead”, citing broken promises and a surge in extrajudicial killings.
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Despite criticism, Raila Odinga reaffirmed the ODM‑UDA alliance holds through 2027, insisting ODM will remain part of the government until then.
By the Numbers: Political Breakdown
| Issue | Status / Allegation |
|---|---|
| NADCO Report | Allegedly promised but deliberately delayed |
| Political strategy | ODM leadership being placated to diminish dissent |
| Public protests in ODM | Rising, driven by disappointment with the ODM–UDA alliance |
| Trust within ODM–UDA pact | Deepening divisions, per Gachagua and Sifuna's statements |
Why It Matters
If Gachagua’s assertions hold:
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Raila Odinga could be politically managed, not allied—undermining ODM’s independence.
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The incomplete NADCO report may weaken prospects for democratic reforms and electoral justice measures.
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With internal resentment in ODM, the broad-based government could face deepening fractures before the 2027 elections.
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